We are making some exciting changes coming soon at Rugen Team Investigations. We are not only increasing our staff, but adding some new services to our clients.
Recent changes have been adding new offices in Springfield, Missouri (www.SpringfieldMoPrivateInvestigator.com) and Columbia, Missouri (www.ColumbiaMissouriPI.com). This has allowed us to provide area resident with some great alternatives to what the previously had available.
Now, in the coming months, owner Ron Rugen will become certified as an audio/video bug sweeper. While we currently offer this service, it will allow us to respond more quickly with Ron certified in bug sweeps.
Ron Rugen is also in the planning stages of putting together a 21st century state of the art surveillance van with hidden cameras on all sides. This will be a great enhancement to our surveillance for cheating spouses, personal injury cases and worker's comp fraud.
Also in the works, Ron Rugen will be expanding his private investigator licensing into additional states.
Further, within six months, Ron Rugen will be trained in Voice Stress Analysis (VSA). In many cases, VSA is considered more active than lie detectors.
Look for announcements of these upcoming changes as they occur.
Showing posts with label Ron Rugen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ron Rugen. Show all posts
Friday, November 8, 2013
Monday, May 21, 2012
Baby Lisa Irwin Case: Who's the Bigger Narcissist?
It all reminds you of a Vegas boxing match. "In this corner, the mother of the missing baby, who keeps changing her story, who doesn't look or act desperate enough, Deborah Bradley!" Faint applause from the cheap seats with boos and sneers from the those at ring side.
"And in this corner, the attorney who shows up only on network TV, from New York and Itally, who doesn't always have his script accurate, Joooooooooe Tacopina!"
And the show continues.
The parents of missing Baby Lisa Irwin, Deborah Bradley and Jeremy Irwin, were on The Today Show this morning. We were all curious rubber necks waiting and watching what made this news worthy. In speaking with local reporters in Kansas City, the timing couldn't be worse. Their attention is focused more on the one year anniversary of the devastating Joplin, Missouri, tornado and the President's appearance at a local high school commencement there tonight.
Now, the parents are saying that Jeremy's debit card information was stolen back in November and the card was used to make a $69 purchase on a website that changes names. But, the site now belongs to a stationery company who claims not to know what they are talking about.
Folks, this is not new news. I knew about this back in December 2011. Remember when Kansas City figure head attorney John Picerno went on the Fox News Channel and claimed there was a new tip. This is that tip. I was told that Jeremy's banker shared the information with him and Jeremy, in turn, contacted the FBI.
So, they are just now bringing it to public attention some six months later. Why have they held this "card" up their sleeve?
Further, if law enforcement has been given this information and they know the site where the card was allegedly used, they should also know where an order for a new ID shipped, if it occurred?
And why would you change the name of an infant and leave a paper trail? Why not get a whole new birth certificate with a new name and date of birth?
The optimists, or Deborah-huggers, would say today's appearance is to keep Lisa's name out there. Really? If that were the case, wouldn't she be annoying law enforcement on a daily basis, out combing the streets doing just that?
In my opinion, this does not appear to be anything at all. Watching The Today Show interview today is five minutes of my life I will not get back.
During today's interview in New York, family attorney Joe Tacopina again brought up the alleged phone call from Deborah's phone to that of Megan Wright's phone the night Lisa was last seen. He mentioned that Megan was the "on-again, off-again" girlfriend of who he called "Jersey Joe". Who the hell is "Jersey Joe"? Come on, Tacopina. Either keep up with this case like the rest of us or get briefed before you go on the air. Tacopina, you are Joe. The alleged person of interest you speak of is Jersey or John Tanko.
In the segment this morning on NBC, it was referenced that a neighbor saw a man with a baby early that morning. Prior to discontinuing active work on this case a few months back, I was told that this neighbor was no longer convinced that was "Jersey" and may have just been caught up in the hype.
Ann Curry, the Today host in this morning's interview, pointed out that Deborah was crying while the "set-up" piece ran summarizing the case's story. As the camera cut to Bradley, she was misty. In the five hours I spent with Bradley, the only time I saw her cry was when she complained about what people were saying about her on Facebook and admitting she was using aliases to be a part of it.
Which is this? Is it Munchausen or narcissism?
"And in this corner, the attorney who shows up only on network TV, from New York and Itally, who doesn't always have his script accurate, Joooooooooe Tacopina!"
And the show continues.
The parents of missing Baby Lisa Irwin, Deborah Bradley and Jeremy Irwin, were on The Today Show this morning. We were all curious rubber necks waiting and watching what made this news worthy. In speaking with local reporters in Kansas City, the timing couldn't be worse. Their attention is focused more on the one year anniversary of the devastating Joplin, Missouri, tornado and the President's appearance at a local high school commencement there tonight.
Now, the parents are saying that Jeremy's debit card information was stolen back in November and the card was used to make a $69 purchase on a website that changes names. But, the site now belongs to a stationery company who claims not to know what they are talking about.
Folks, this is not new news. I knew about this back in December 2011. Remember when Kansas City figure head attorney John Picerno went on the Fox News Channel and claimed there was a new tip. This is that tip. I was told that Jeremy's banker shared the information with him and Jeremy, in turn, contacted the FBI.
So, they are just now bringing it to public attention some six months later. Why have they held this "card" up their sleeve?
Further, if law enforcement has been given this information and they know the site where the card was allegedly used, they should also know where an order for a new ID shipped, if it occurred?
And why would you change the name of an infant and leave a paper trail? Why not get a whole new birth certificate with a new name and date of birth?
The optimists, or Deborah-huggers, would say today's appearance is to keep Lisa's name out there. Really? If that were the case, wouldn't she be annoying law enforcement on a daily basis, out combing the streets doing just that?
In my opinion, this does not appear to be anything at all. Watching The Today Show interview today is five minutes of my life I will not get back.
During today's interview in New York, family attorney Joe Tacopina again brought up the alleged phone call from Deborah's phone to that of Megan Wright's phone the night Lisa was last seen. He mentioned that Megan was the "on-again, off-again" girlfriend of who he called "Jersey Joe". Who the hell is "Jersey Joe"? Come on, Tacopina. Either keep up with this case like the rest of us or get briefed before you go on the air. Tacopina, you are Joe. The alleged person of interest you speak of is Jersey or John Tanko.
In the segment this morning on NBC, it was referenced that a neighbor saw a man with a baby early that morning. Prior to discontinuing active work on this case a few months back, I was told that this neighbor was no longer convinced that was "Jersey" and may have just been caught up in the hype.
Ann Curry, the Today host in this morning's interview, pointed out that Deborah was crying while the "set-up" piece ran summarizing the case's story. As the camera cut to Bradley, she was misty. In the five hours I spent with Bradley, the only time I saw her cry was when she complained about what people were saying about her on Facebook and admitting she was using aliases to be a part of it.
Which is this? Is it Munchausen or narcissism?
Friday, April 6, 2012
This Week's Wild Ride on North Lister
This has been one of the wackiest weeks in the Baby Lisa Irwin case in several weeks. The six month observance of her disappearance has seen a flurry of activity this week and things that make you go hmmm.
Monday - An HLN commentator is on air saying that the person keeping the Baby Lisa case alive is an owner of a Facebook page. Who the hell got to this commentator? Don't take me wrong. This is not an ego defense on my part. But to imply that this histrionic Facebook page that verbally attacks anybody who gets in their way is the only reason the Baby Lisa case remains heard is ridiculous. Has he not heard of Websleuths, Scaredmonkeys, and others that continue to discuss this case? I have the greatest respect for HLN. I have been a guest on the Jane Velez-Mitchell show nearly a handful of times. By the way, Jane is so interested in accuracy of reporting developments of this case, she actually called me one afternoon a few hours before we did the show to go over the complexities of this case. I have the greatest respect for Jane and her interest in the developments in this case.
Tuesday Afternoon - Irwin/Bradley attorney John Picerno calls in to 980 KMBZ's Dana and Parks Show and now wants us to believe that Deborah Bradley never, ever was administered a polygraph test. When asked, Picerno said, "Nope. Never."
Are you kidding me? Both Deborah Bradley and attorney Joe Tacopina have said publicly on multiple occasions that law enforcement told her she failed one question on the lie detector test. How do you go from wondering whether you were told the truth about failing a lie detector test to that test never occurred? Deborah Bradley told me personally, face-to-face, that she was not sure that she failed the test, only that law enforcement told her she had failed.
This reminds me of Bill Stanton coming to town back in October and calling himself a private investigator (which some reporters are still giving him that title even after we know he is not). It was very poor judgement, in my opinion, for Stanton to come forward in a case being watched nationwide and calling himself a PI when we cannot find he is licensed as one in Missouri, nor his home state of New York. Now, Picerno would have us believe this lie detector story when it has already been documented and seen all over the country that Tacopina discussing this polygraph test. Give us a break!
Tuesday Evening - Local activists meet at a nearby street corner from the Bradley/Irwin house to launch pastel colored balloons to acknowledge Lisa's six month disappearance. Lisa's father Jeremy Irwin then surprised everyone in attendance, including reporters, by emerging from the house while he attempted to blend in with attendees. Reporters then approached Jeremy to hold an impromptu news conference. None of the questions were tough, probably because reporters were so surprised he emerged.
It was a good public relations move. When the family clams up, that is when reporters seek out others to interview who may not be as favorable to the family's story as to what happened the night Lisa was reported missing.
Since then, we have noticed that photos have emerged on a Find Lisa website. I'm not going to download the photo to post here because they have copyrighted it.
Go to this website: http://findlisairwin.com/?page_id=9. When you go there, look at the very last photo (assuming they leave it up after we publish this blog). It is labeled as Lisa's beauty mark. It is said to be located on Lisa's outer right thigh.
Is it me or is this clearly the photo of a mole on an adult's forearm? If we give them the benefit of the doubt, was it worded poorly and we are to assume that this person's beauty mark is similar in nature to Lisa's beauty mark.
If this is supposed to be a photo of Lisa's right outer thigh, (a) it looks nothing like a thigh and (b) why would you just so happened to have had the foresight to have taken a photo of that body part? I can see if maybe it was part of another photo and it was zoomed in and enhanced, but that clearly is not the case here. I predicted on my business Facebook page (http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityPI) that after posting here the photo there it would be "removed and/or I will get a text message from one of the family minions defending their position." Today, I received a text message (not from Jeremy or Deborah, however).
Thursday - In a story updated on Thursday, April 5, 2012, a letter sent by Baby Lisa's aunt Ashley Irwin (http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/04/04/6-months-later-and-still-no-sign-baby-lisa) to CNN's Jim Spellman is another public relations move to discuss all the things that Ashley says she is missing in Lisa's life, all of the milestones. This sounds all sweet until you know Ashley Irwin has never held Lisa in her arms, let alone seen her face to face. When you know that, this letter seems a little shallow and empty, in my opinion.
Wow. It has been a crazy week. I again call out for Jeremy Irwin and Deborah Bradley to take attorney John Picerno with them to the KCPD, talk to them separately with Picerno in tow, and pick and choose the questions they will answer. That is true cooperation. Until then, you are only cooperating on your terms, but nobody is arrested.
In observance of Easter, we are reminded of God the Father who loved the world so much that he sacrificed the life of his own son.
Monday - An HLN commentator is on air saying that the person keeping the Baby Lisa case alive is an owner of a Facebook page. Who the hell got to this commentator? Don't take me wrong. This is not an ego defense on my part. But to imply that this histrionic Facebook page that verbally attacks anybody who gets in their way is the only reason the Baby Lisa case remains heard is ridiculous. Has he not heard of Websleuths, Scaredmonkeys, and others that continue to discuss this case? I have the greatest respect for HLN. I have been a guest on the Jane Velez-Mitchell show nearly a handful of times. By the way, Jane is so interested in accuracy of reporting developments of this case, she actually called me one afternoon a few hours before we did the show to go over the complexities of this case. I have the greatest respect for Jane and her interest in the developments in this case.
Tuesday Afternoon - Irwin/Bradley attorney John Picerno calls in to 980 KMBZ's Dana and Parks Show and now wants us to believe that Deborah Bradley never, ever was administered a polygraph test. When asked, Picerno said, "Nope. Never."
Are you kidding me? Both Deborah Bradley and attorney Joe Tacopina have said publicly on multiple occasions that law enforcement told her she failed one question on the lie detector test. How do you go from wondering whether you were told the truth about failing a lie detector test to that test never occurred? Deborah Bradley told me personally, face-to-face, that she was not sure that she failed the test, only that law enforcement told her she had failed.
This reminds me of Bill Stanton coming to town back in October and calling himself a private investigator (which some reporters are still giving him that title even after we know he is not). It was very poor judgement, in my opinion, for Stanton to come forward in a case being watched nationwide and calling himself a PI when we cannot find he is licensed as one in Missouri, nor his home state of New York. Now, Picerno would have us believe this lie detector story when it has already been documented and seen all over the country that Tacopina discussing this polygraph test. Give us a break!
Tuesday Evening - Local activists meet at a nearby street corner from the Bradley/Irwin house to launch pastel colored balloons to acknowledge Lisa's six month disappearance. Lisa's father Jeremy Irwin then surprised everyone in attendance, including reporters, by emerging from the house while he attempted to blend in with attendees. Reporters then approached Jeremy to hold an impromptu news conference. None of the questions were tough, probably because reporters were so surprised he emerged.
It was a good public relations move. When the family clams up, that is when reporters seek out others to interview who may not be as favorable to the family's story as to what happened the night Lisa was reported missing.
Since then, we have noticed that photos have emerged on a Find Lisa website. I'm not going to download the photo to post here because they have copyrighted it.
Go to this website: http://findlisairwin.com/?page_id=9. When you go there, look at the very last photo (assuming they leave it up after we publish this blog). It is labeled as Lisa's beauty mark. It is said to be located on Lisa's outer right thigh.
Is it me or is this clearly the photo of a mole on an adult's forearm? If we give them the benefit of the doubt, was it worded poorly and we are to assume that this person's beauty mark is similar in nature to Lisa's beauty mark.
If this is supposed to be a photo of Lisa's right outer thigh, (a) it looks nothing like a thigh and (b) why would you just so happened to have had the foresight to have taken a photo of that body part? I can see if maybe it was part of another photo and it was zoomed in and enhanced, but that clearly is not the case here. I predicted on my business Facebook page (http://www.Facebook.com/KansasCityPI) that after posting here the photo there it would be "removed and/or I will get a text message from one of the family minions defending their position." Today, I received a text message (not from Jeremy or Deborah, however).
Thursday - In a story updated on Thursday, April 5, 2012, a letter sent by Baby Lisa's aunt Ashley Irwin (http://www.hlntv.com/article/2012/04/04/6-months-later-and-still-no-sign-baby-lisa) to CNN's Jim Spellman is another public relations move to discuss all the things that Ashley says she is missing in Lisa's life, all of the milestones. This sounds all sweet until you know Ashley Irwin has never held Lisa in her arms, let alone seen her face to face. When you know that, this letter seems a little shallow and empty, in my opinion.
Wow. It has been a crazy week. I again call out for Jeremy Irwin and Deborah Bradley to take attorney John Picerno with them to the KCPD, talk to them separately with Picerno in tow, and pick and choose the questions they will answer. That is true cooperation. Until then, you are only cooperating on your terms, but nobody is arrested.
In observance of Easter, we are reminded of God the Father who loved the world so much that he sacrificed the life of his own son.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
April Fool's Day On North Lister
This Tuesday night/Wednesday morning marks six months since anyone reported seeing Baby Lisa Irwin alive. When she was last seen at her Kansas City home, she was ten months old. If she is alive now, she could look much different than her photos. That is, if she is alive.
I was at the picket protest today in front of the Bradley/Irwin home on N. Lister to observe. You would recognize the residence. It is the one that does not have its lawn mowed with a few signs in the windows.
A silver vehicle stopped at a nearby intersection in the street, apparently curiosity seeking during the early minutes of the protest. When persons in attendance walked that direction, the vehicle left, reportedly snapping photographs of license plates of those in attendance. It appears it MAY have been the owners of a pro-Deborah Bradley website.
When this occurs, you have to ask why? Were they attempting to intimidate the peaceful protestors by snapping the photos? What do they plan to do with the license plate photos? Not just anyone can LEGALLY run license plates and, those who can, must have permissible purpose. Once again, those supporting the family's view of what happened that night are making those who do not drink the kool-aid into those that are demonized.
Another protestor believed they saw a relative of Deborah Bradley's drive by and give a finger of disapproval to those in attendance. I hope they were wrong.
It appears there are two "teams". Those who are for finding out who is responsible for the disappearance of Lisa and those who support Lisa's parents, Deborah Bradley and Jeremy Irwin, and squelching any kind of progress in this case. Progress would instead be answering those questions posed by law enforcement.
We keep hearing that the parents are cooperating with law enforcement. Their version of cooperation appears to be feeding information to law enforcement that has them go in any direction except culpability of Lisa's parents. If I were asked my definition of cooperation with law enforcement, it would be answering any questions law enforcement has.
Deborah and Jeremy, here's a novel idea for a compromise. Take your local attorney John Picerno with you to the police station and with him by your side, talk to law enforcement separately. That way if they do not ask the softball questions that Dr. Phil asked, you can take the cafeteria-style pick and choose approach to what you answer. Then, we can line up all of the reporters along the street outside of the police station getting video of you leaving and being whisked away in a black SUV by "consultant" Bill Stanton.
Deborah and Jeremy, you said in the Dr. Phil interview that you were waiting for things to calm down. Congratulation, they have calmed down. When I was at the noon start of the picket today, there were less than ten persons walking in front of your house with signs. I no longer sit at the counter of the Corner Cafe listening people talk about your daughter. It is hard to get any public interest in it because many of us have, like you, gone on with our lives. I congratulate you. If my children were still young and I claimed one was abducted, even after six months, I would be spending a lot of nights in the corner of my home crying, praying, and I would have lost weight due to the inability to even care about my own needs. I would be spending my days annoying the hell out of both national and local media, as well as law enforcement. They would be looking in the mirror in the mornings wondering not if, but when, they would be hearing from me each day. Congratulations. Things have calmed down.
As a former broadcast journalist, if I were Dr. Phil and if Joe Tacopina, your attorney, would have allowed me to (since he was kind enough to grant us the pleasure of your presence), I would have pressed as to why things needed to calm down? When media attention of your absent baby was at its height, why did you not take full advantage of that, particularly in the local media who wanted to help you so badly? Yet, you snubbed the local media.
How bad, Deborah and Jeremy, do you want your baby back home? Your actions continue to speak volumes that you do not believe she is alive to be able to come home. Tell me this is not true.
Deborah, when we met over the course of several hours, why did I not see you cry as much for Lisa being gone as I did when you bitched about what people online were saying about you?
As to today's picket protest, it does not matter whether the family members were home or not. What matters is the message. There are still people out there that do not buy what you are selling Deborah and Jeremy. You and I can agree that maybe the way the message is sometimes delivered gets the histrionics in the way of the message, but the listen to the message. It is clear. Your actions are offensive. Those close to you, who support your latest version of what happened appear to be less interested in finding the truth that they do demonizing anybody who does not believe you.
I have personally spoken with Megan Wright (the former pink haired girl with the cell phone), members of Megan's former household, possible eyewitness Mike Thompson, your friends and family members, and even you Deborah. I have spoken to those persons that say they have access to both Megan's cell records and Jeremy's business cell records. While I am a Missouri licensed private investigator, I have done this in the role of a reporter/blogger, since nobody hired me. I have put information out there in hopes someone who knows something could add to it.
Why has your "team" not spoken to these people? What is Bill Stanton's role, since it now appears the title of private investigator was something he acquired out of thin air and appears to have no license? Why has benefactor Kristi Schiller never transferred the $100k reward to crime stoppers to make the reward real? Why, Deborah, is your cousin Mike Lerette reportedly "courting" (sorry for the old-fashioned word, but I wanted to use a polite term) your former next door neighbor Samantha Brando who was with you the night anyone reportedly last saw Lisa when she could be considered a potential witness?
I know Jeremy and Deborah will not answer my questions. But these are very good questions that remained unanswered. As for Lisa, many of us are sorry. We are sorry that many persons choose to put on rose colored glasses, rather than work toward making someone pay for whatever happened to you the night you were reportedly last seen. Named for your deceased grandmother, Lisa, you deserve far better.
I was at the picket protest today in front of the Bradley/Irwin home on N. Lister to observe. You would recognize the residence. It is the one that does not have its lawn mowed with a few signs in the windows.
A silver vehicle stopped at a nearby intersection in the street, apparently curiosity seeking during the early minutes of the protest. When persons in attendance walked that direction, the vehicle left, reportedly snapping photographs of license plates of those in attendance. It appears it MAY have been the owners of a pro-Deborah Bradley website.
When this occurs, you have to ask why? Were they attempting to intimidate the peaceful protestors by snapping the photos? What do they plan to do with the license plate photos? Not just anyone can LEGALLY run license plates and, those who can, must have permissible purpose. Once again, those supporting the family's view of what happened that night are making those who do not drink the kool-aid into those that are demonized.
Another protestor believed they saw a relative of Deborah Bradley's drive by and give a finger of disapproval to those in attendance. I hope they were wrong.
It appears there are two "teams". Those who are for finding out who is responsible for the disappearance of Lisa and those who support Lisa's parents, Deborah Bradley and Jeremy Irwin, and squelching any kind of progress in this case. Progress would instead be answering those questions posed by law enforcement.
We keep hearing that the parents are cooperating with law enforcement. Their version of cooperation appears to be feeding information to law enforcement that has them go in any direction except culpability of Lisa's parents. If I were asked my definition of cooperation with law enforcement, it would be answering any questions law enforcement has.
Deborah and Jeremy, here's a novel idea for a compromise. Take your local attorney John Picerno with you to the police station and with him by your side, talk to law enforcement separately. That way if they do not ask the softball questions that Dr. Phil asked, you can take the cafeteria-style pick and choose approach to what you answer. Then, we can line up all of the reporters along the street outside of the police station getting video of you leaving and being whisked away in a black SUV by "consultant" Bill Stanton.
Deborah and Jeremy, you said in the Dr. Phil interview that you were waiting for things to calm down. Congratulation, they have calmed down. When I was at the noon start of the picket today, there were less than ten persons walking in front of your house with signs. I no longer sit at the counter of the Corner Cafe listening people talk about your daughter. It is hard to get any public interest in it because many of us have, like you, gone on with our lives. I congratulate you. If my children were still young and I claimed one was abducted, even after six months, I would be spending a lot of nights in the corner of my home crying, praying, and I would have lost weight due to the inability to even care about my own needs. I would be spending my days annoying the hell out of both national and local media, as well as law enforcement. They would be looking in the mirror in the mornings wondering not if, but when, they would be hearing from me each day. Congratulations. Things have calmed down.
As a former broadcast journalist, if I were Dr. Phil and if Joe Tacopina, your attorney, would have allowed me to (since he was kind enough to grant us the pleasure of your presence), I would have pressed as to why things needed to calm down? When media attention of your absent baby was at its height, why did you not take full advantage of that, particularly in the local media who wanted to help you so badly? Yet, you snubbed the local media.
How bad, Deborah and Jeremy, do you want your baby back home? Your actions continue to speak volumes that you do not believe she is alive to be able to come home. Tell me this is not true.
Deborah, when we met over the course of several hours, why did I not see you cry as much for Lisa being gone as I did when you bitched about what people online were saying about you?
As to today's picket protest, it does not matter whether the family members were home or not. What matters is the message. There are still people out there that do not buy what you are selling Deborah and Jeremy. You and I can agree that maybe the way the message is sometimes delivered gets the histrionics in the way of the message, but the listen to the message. It is clear. Your actions are offensive. Those close to you, who support your latest version of what happened appear to be less interested in finding the truth that they do demonizing anybody who does not believe you.
I have personally spoken with Megan Wright (the former pink haired girl with the cell phone), members of Megan's former household, possible eyewitness Mike Thompson, your friends and family members, and even you Deborah. I have spoken to those persons that say they have access to both Megan's cell records and Jeremy's business cell records. While I am a Missouri licensed private investigator, I have done this in the role of a reporter/blogger, since nobody hired me. I have put information out there in hopes someone who knows something could add to it.
Why has your "team" not spoken to these people? What is Bill Stanton's role, since it now appears the title of private investigator was something he acquired out of thin air and appears to have no license? Why has benefactor Kristi Schiller never transferred the $100k reward to crime stoppers to make the reward real? Why, Deborah, is your cousin Mike Lerette reportedly "courting" (sorry for the old-fashioned word, but I wanted to use a polite term) your former next door neighbor Samantha Brando who was with you the night anyone reportedly last saw Lisa when she could be considered a potential witness?
I know Jeremy and Deborah will not answer my questions. But these are very good questions that remained unanswered. As for Lisa, many of us are sorry. We are sorry that many persons choose to put on rose colored glasses, rather than work toward making someone pay for whatever happened to you the night you were reportedly last seen. Named for your deceased grandmother, Lisa, you deserve far better.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Casey Anthony Photos and Rob Hensley
The following is a copyrighted interview. You may post a link to this blog but copying or screen shots of this interview is a violation of copyright law. Any reference to this exclusive interview must be attributed to Rugen Team Investigations, LLC.
I received a private message on one of the social networks late Monday night. It was from Rob Hensley. You will recall that Rob is the one accused of leaking photos and video of Casey Anthony about a month ago. He was the topic of discussion on television networks and was quite the popular guy.
Rob's message to me was he finally wanted to talk. He wanted to tell how he got the Casey Anthony visuals and answer questions. Why me when so many have been wanting to sit down with him? He said he saw how I have treated everyone fairly that I have spoken to in the Kansas City missing baby case of Lisa Irwin. Rob said he would answer my questions but he did not want his answers edited. Fair enough.
I met Rob at his local watering hole. We sat down and he showed me 80 photographs he has of Casey Anthony. However, he says they will not be released by him. Some of the photos have already been released by someone else. Many have not been seen by the public...yet.
He also showed me several accounts Casey Anthony had on various sites across the internet. When light was shed on all of this, it wasn't nearly as James Bond-ish as what it was made out to be.
Rob says he did not mean any of this to happen. He did not intend for the videos/photos to get out. "never meant for this and I don't want harm on her (Casey), you know"
Rugen: What is your interest in Casey Anthony?
Hensley: I watched the entire trial, every freakin' minute of it. I joined (online) support groups; just started doing a lot of research on it. The day she got released I did a lot of research on those planes that left that airport.
Rugen: Why? Is this just a hobby?
Hensley: It was a challenge. All of the supporters said I would be the one to find her, just because I know how to research stuff. And I do it through Google. Everybody's like "god, Rob, how do you get all of your information?" Well, you've got to word it right.
And everything is basically public record. I found the deed for her (Casey's) parents' house when they lived in Ohio back in '84.
Rugen: What is your personal opinion as to what happened with her daughter Caylee's death and the trial verdict?
Hensley: I've got to agree with the verdict because they never showed any evidence that she did it. She was found not guilty but I'm not saying she was innocent because she knows what happened. That whole family knows what happened.
To be honest, I don't know what happened. We don't know who was telling the truth. When the judge released those sealed documents from the doctor, she told the doctors in 2010, November, that her dad came in her bedroom with Caylee in his hands, dripping wet. She drowned. She talked about sexual abuse.
Rugen: So, before the trial, you no knowledge of anything other than what you saw in the news media?
Hensley: Well, the trial was so long. And it took three years to take her to trial. I remember when she got arrested. And back then, when somebody first gets arrested, everybody is like "well, they did it." Then, I watched that trial, every second of it. I quit my job to watch it.
Rugen: Whenever the first set of videos were "leaked" around January 5, 2012, there were rumors that you were Casey Anthony's boyfriend. Others were saying you were the cousin of her former attorney, Jose Baez.
Henley: I laughed about that. And the day before the rumor came out that he (Baez) got fired, he actually told Nancy Grace or made a statement on one of the HLN shows that I'm not his cousin. People also said Casey was working for my landscaping company. My dad had a landscaping company and shut it down fifteen years ago. They found an advertisement company. So they were saying she was working for my (non-existent) landscaping company. And if she is working for my landscaping company that would mean she was in Kansas (laughs).
Rugen: Somewhat off the track, but you have also been accused of showing interest in the Lisa Irwin, missing baby case here in the Kansas City area. Actually, you sent me emails in late October and early November about the case. What is your interest with that?
Hensley: I was surprised that the public didn't go out and look for her more like they did Caylee. I just wanted to help out. My interest was just like the Caylee case.
Rugen: You had emailed me asking where Jeremy Irwin worked.
Hensley: I was looking at time frames and stuff. I don't even research the case anymore.
Rugen: How did you come to know Casey in terms of these videos and photos that were initially leaked around January 5, 2012?
Hensley: I got an anonymous email.
Rugen: Why would you of all people get an anonymous email?
Hensley: Because I was trusted.
Rugen: How did they know about you?
Hensley: Everybody knows about me.
Rugen: Really (laughs)? Who is Rob Hensley?
Hensley: I'm one of the popular supporters of Casey Anthony. If you go to any of the social network support pages or hate pages, well, now when you say my name, everybody knows me. I've always given the people the facts.
Rugen: Now, you know when people read this they are going to say, how in the world could he support her when she killed her baby? That is what the masses will say. How would you respond to that?
Hensley: They can kiss my ass. Everybody has their right to an opinion. I just try and not think about what those people say about her.
Rugen: So you don't think she was responsible for her daughter's death?
Hensley: I don't think she is. Of course she knows what happened. But how can we believe what comes out of her mouth. She could come out and say she killed her and nobody is going to believe her.
Rugen: Why? Because she is a liar?
Hensley: Well, she has been proven as a liar. She was a damned good liar. Hell, the prosecuting attorney said that was the best liar he had ever met.
Rugen: Back to the photographs and video, what was your tie in specifically? Help me understand how this all happened.
Hensley: My source was surprised about the photos and video too. And the source is a supporter, too. Boom. There was an email and, wow, look at that. And they said they were shocked.
Rugen: So, your source sent you an email with the attachments. And you did not do anything to obtain them illegally?
Hensley: They were not hacked. The supporters are saying she was hacked. The haters are saying she was not hacked. The media knows she wasn't hacked.
Rugen: Then, how were they obtained?
Hensley: I have no idea how. I'm pretty sure she sent them to somebody she trusted. Then it spiraled out of control. I know some of them went to her lawyers.
Rugen: What makes you think that?
Hensley: Everybody thinks her lawyers were protecting her. They weren't protecting her.
Rugen: How many levels did these attachments go through before it got to you?
Hensley: I heard it was eight. I honestly know she wasn't hacked. I don't even think Casey knows what the hell has been going on.
She has a small group of friends from what I have seen from her old accounts.
Rugen: So, somebody who she should not trust was in that group.
Hensley: Yeah. And, it's just like there's one photograph that leaked a couple of weeks ago. I'm like, where the hell did that come from. And it was one of the photograph I got a couple of days ago. And my source had not even seen it yet.
People are thinking that Casey is leaking them. But I do know that Devon Thomas, a Caylee warrior, leaked the new ones that were leaked yesterday. Then, Michell Dawn Smith (an Ohio Facebook user) posted them on her Facebook yesterday. And we are trying to figure out Davon is getting stuff. His (Facebook) profile says he is from England.
Rugen: So, one of the big questions folks have been asking is have you made any money on any interviews or any releasing of photos or video.
Hensley: Nope. And from a reporter I talked to at an Orlando NBC station, he says nobody has made money. He says NBC doesn't own the rights to them. So, nobody has made money off of them as far as I know. If anybody has made money off of them, it has to be Casey because she owns the rights.
That's why the media is not releasing the second video, because of copyright. They don't want to get in trouble.
That little 9 second video that's out there, that's the start of the second video that hasn't been released yet. That came out about an hour after the big video did.
Rugen: So has this resulted in threats against you as a supporter of Casey Anthony?
Hensley: I have been threatened where I had to leave Olatha (Kansas) and stay in Blue Springs (Missouri) for a while. People were threatening me on social networking pages saying "you're going to die like her."
My lawyer actually called the Olathe police department to have them step up patrols around my grandma's house. I live with my grandma.
One of my long time friends found out what happened and she asked me if I needed a place to stay. So, I went and stayed at her house for a bit in Blue Springs.
People just need to leave Casey Anthony alone. I know that. I never meant for this to happen. I'm very sorry.
Rugen: So, you officially did not leak the photos?
Hensley: I didn't leak them to the world or the media. I never sent them as actual files to anybody. They were on my (secured) YouTube and they ripped them off. There's software to do that.
The thing of it is when you upload a video to YouTube, it's automatically copyrighted by YouTube to protect your rights. So, they actually broke the law taking them.
Rugen: There has been some discussion around this about your criminal record.
Hensley: I've never kept it from anybody. I got some DWIs. I got a criminal threat, which is a felony in the state of Kansas and I did 16 months in prison. I broke into a house in 1999 and I went to prison for it for four months. That was back when I was a meth addict. I'm a recovering drug addict. I haven't used hard drugs in three years.
Rugen: So you admit these things but they have no relevance on your interest in the Casey Anthony case or the photos?
Hensley: People say, "oh my gosh, he's a criminal". Everybody knew I was. I don't break the law anymore. I learned my lesson. I've lost my driver's license until 2019 because of so many DWIs.
I don't see the point. Everybody has screw up in their life one time or another. Some people don't get caught. Some people do.
On my DWIs, the reason I went to jail is because I refused to blow. The cop says, "you've been drinking?" I said, "yeah". He said, "we're going to take some tests". I said, "nope. Handcuff me." I wanted the minimum sentence. If you blow, they're going to give you the max.
Rugen: Have you had any communication directly with Casey Anthony?
Hensley: No. I sent Casey a message the only time I created a fake Twitter account and told her to shut everything down. That was about a week-and-a-half or two weeks ago. I didn't even say who I was. I was like, "I know who you are. Shut it down."
Rugen: And how do you find out these new accounts Casey starts? Is it through the grapevine?
Hensley: When you change your Twitter name, all it does is change your address. You still keep your "friends". And when she did it, I was like oh crap. The next day I came across one of her friends from the church and thought the photo looks familiar; the stuff in the background. I sent it to my source and he said, "oh, shit. He found her again."
Friday, February 3, 2012
Dr. Phil: Much Ado About Nothing
Did you ever eat one those meals that you asked yourself why you wasted your calorie intake and money on that? The Dr. Phil Show interview today with Lisa Irwin's parents, media representative, but mostly starring their attorney made me feel like I had empty calories. I will never get that hour back.
There was really no new information that we were led to believe forthcoming. That is kind of like going to Wal-Mart and expecting customer service. I knew better.
I'm confused. Family attorney Joe Tacopina told Phil McGraw that the parents have answered questions from the Kansas City Police Department once, twice and three times, and there is no need to talk to them further (yet a conversation was held yesterday). If that is the case, then why answer the same questions on The Dr. Phil Show for the fourth or more time? I am not joining the dog pile, but it makes one or more participants look narcissistic. However, the Dr. Phil staff has been after the family and extended family for some time now to do their show.
Host McGraw asked Lisa's mom, Deborah Bradley, why wait until now to get excited about trying to find their daughter. Her reply was "things needed to quiet down." Really? If my baby was missing, things would not get quiet. I would be raising hell and I would not care what people thought about me. Yes, I might need to be on Zoloft, but I would be stirring the pot.
Others who know more about statement analysis and body language are far more qualified to dissect the performance than I, so I will leave it to them. But it sure did not look good that attorney Tacopina answered most of the questions. It either looks like damage control or an epsisode of "All About Joe."
Why do the interview? As I said in an interview with Jane Velez-Mitchell on HLN today, that is not the way you find a baby unless she is truly abducted and alive. Is she? The Dr. Phil Show can get your baby's face out there but it cannot find the abductor, whether Lisa is alive or not. However, in fairness, Deborah Bradley told Phil McGraw she did not care who took her daughter, merely that she was returned safely, somewhere.
Also on the show was formerly touted as a private investigator, then security consultant, now taking back the title of investigator Bill Stanton. The New York-based licensed "security guard-unarmed" led McGraw to believe that he has been seeking the truth. That sounds good until you know that I have spoken with both Megan Wright (the woman with the cell phone who was the intended recipient of a call from Bradley's phone that night) and potential eyewitness Mike Thompson (the motorcyclist) who both tell me they have never spoken to Stanton or any member of his "team". Both have spoken with Cyndy Short, the Kansas City attorney that was fired off the case the end of October 2011 after her and Tacopina disagreed on their roles.
Yes, I have spent some time with family members on this case. On my own dime, I have tried to find answers and be objective while trying to be true to myself. Initially, I was not asked by anybody to get involved in this case until I started having success in finding answers. To be clear, I can ask questions to find answers on this case with or without being hired. The difference is if I am hired, I would not have as much freedom to talk openly as a reporter/blogger.
As you can tell by my comments here, I do not work for Tacopina or Stanton. I am also not against them. Whatever would find this baby and bring the person to justice, whether it be an abductor or a family member, I am all for. But, folks, we have to talk and not in a sanitized television studio. Let's do the right thing.
There was really no new information that we were led to believe forthcoming. That is kind of like going to Wal-Mart and expecting customer service. I knew better.
I'm confused. Family attorney Joe Tacopina told Phil McGraw that the parents have answered questions from the Kansas City Police Department once, twice and three times, and there is no need to talk to them further (yet a conversation was held yesterday). If that is the case, then why answer the same questions on The Dr. Phil Show for the fourth or more time? I am not joining the dog pile, but it makes one or more participants look narcissistic. However, the Dr. Phil staff has been after the family and extended family for some time now to do their show.
Host McGraw asked Lisa's mom, Deborah Bradley, why wait until now to get excited about trying to find their daughter. Her reply was "things needed to quiet down." Really? If my baby was missing, things would not get quiet. I would be raising hell and I would not care what people thought about me. Yes, I might need to be on Zoloft, but I would be stirring the pot.
Others who know more about statement analysis and body language are far more qualified to dissect the performance than I, so I will leave it to them. But it sure did not look good that attorney Tacopina answered most of the questions. It either looks like damage control or an epsisode of "All About Joe."
Why do the interview? As I said in an interview with Jane Velez-Mitchell on HLN today, that is not the way you find a baby unless she is truly abducted and alive. Is she? The Dr. Phil Show can get your baby's face out there but it cannot find the abductor, whether Lisa is alive or not. However, in fairness, Deborah Bradley told Phil McGraw she did not care who took her daughter, merely that she was returned safely, somewhere.
Also on the show was formerly touted as a private investigator, then security consultant, now taking back the title of investigator Bill Stanton. The New York-based licensed "security guard-unarmed" led McGraw to believe that he has been seeking the truth. That sounds good until you know that I have spoken with both Megan Wright (the woman with the cell phone who was the intended recipient of a call from Bradley's phone that night) and potential eyewitness Mike Thompson (the motorcyclist) who both tell me they have never spoken to Stanton or any member of his "team". Both have spoken with Cyndy Short, the Kansas City attorney that was fired off the case the end of October 2011 after her and Tacopina disagreed on their roles.
Yes, I have spent some time with family members on this case. On my own dime, I have tried to find answers and be objective while trying to be true to myself. Initially, I was not asked by anybody to get involved in this case until I started having success in finding answers. To be clear, I can ask questions to find answers on this case with or without being hired. The difference is if I am hired, I would not have as much freedom to talk openly as a reporter/blogger.
As you can tell by my comments here, I do not work for Tacopina or Stanton. I am also not against them. Whatever would find this baby and bring the person to justice, whether it be an abductor or a family member, I am all for. But, folks, we have to talk and not in a sanitized television studio. Let's do the right thing.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Dr. Phil Joins the Conversation About Lisa
On February 3, 2012, Lisa Irwin's parents (Jeremy Irwin and Deborah Bradley) will break their public silence with an appearance on television's syndicated Dr. Phil Show. When I got word of it this afternoon and posted it on my Facebook page (http://www.Facebook.com/kansascitypi) and subsequently my Twitter account, speculation and debate erupted.
Apparently, the parents flew out over the weekend for a sanitized taping of the program with attorney Joe Tacopina at their side during the "interview". In other words, there was no studio audience.
How valuable will the interview be? Will the only winner be The Dr. Phil Show who has been courting this interview for months? One thing is for certain, this will be a huge ratings grabber for the show.
It is not confirmed, but in order to allow his clients to do the program, Tacopina surely has final edit authority or similar assurance lying on the "cutting room floor".
What can be gained by such an interview? Perhaps, renewed interest in what happened to Irwin's and Bradley's infant daughter, reportedly last seen October 3, 2011. It may also give the appearance of openness, in spite of the sanitized environment which "Lisa-ophiles" have been craving.
What could be lost? For those who are convinced already of one or both of the parents' culpability, they are sure to find renewed affirmation in what they already believe. No matter what, their opinion will not be changed. The body language and statement analysis experts will have a field day assessing eye contact, body movements, and unscripted replies to the questions posed by the ten year talk veteran, himself a native of the Kansas City metro area.
Both the hopers and the haters will find something to satisfy their palates in this TV adventure. The obsession this case has had online has taken a perverse trip. Admittedly, it is a real life mystery as to what happened to this innocent baby. However, the compulsive voyeurism has led to supporters of varying theories attacking the other 24/7 by taking on multiple Facebook screen personalities in a cowardly way, hiding behind their computer to unleash attacks for any opposition to their own opinion. It makes one wonder while those who have such aggressive hatred for those who oppose their point of view on these forums are spending hours espousing their myopic views and unleashing personal attacks, what is their in-person social interaction like. Are they ignoring their own family members and/or friends while they criticize either Lisa's family or their online foes?
One thing is for certain. We are at least talking about Lisa again. But, remember, she did not ask for any of this. She would have been happy at home, laughing and playing with her big brothers.
Apparently, the parents flew out over the weekend for a sanitized taping of the program with attorney Joe Tacopina at their side during the "interview". In other words, there was no studio audience.
How valuable will the interview be? Will the only winner be The Dr. Phil Show who has been courting this interview for months? One thing is for certain, this will be a huge ratings grabber for the show.
It is not confirmed, but in order to allow his clients to do the program, Tacopina surely has final edit authority or similar assurance lying on the "cutting room floor".
What can be gained by such an interview? Perhaps, renewed interest in what happened to Irwin's and Bradley's infant daughter, reportedly last seen October 3, 2011. It may also give the appearance of openness, in spite of the sanitized environment which "Lisa-ophiles" have been craving.
What could be lost? For those who are convinced already of one or both of the parents' culpability, they are sure to find renewed affirmation in what they already believe. No matter what, their opinion will not be changed. The body language and statement analysis experts will have a field day assessing eye contact, body movements, and unscripted replies to the questions posed by the ten year talk veteran, himself a native of the Kansas City metro area.
Both the hopers and the haters will find something to satisfy their palates in this TV adventure. The obsession this case has had online has taken a perverse trip. Admittedly, it is a real life mystery as to what happened to this innocent baby. However, the compulsive voyeurism has led to supporters of varying theories attacking the other 24/7 by taking on multiple Facebook screen personalities in a cowardly way, hiding behind their computer to unleash attacks for any opposition to their own opinion. It makes one wonder while those who have such aggressive hatred for those who oppose their point of view on these forums are spending hours espousing their myopic views and unleashing personal attacks, what is their in-person social interaction like. Are they ignoring their own family members and/or friends while they criticize either Lisa's family or their online foes?
One thing is for certain. We are at least talking about Lisa again. But, remember, she did not ask for any of this. She would have been happy at home, laughing and playing with her big brothers.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Confident He Saw a Live Baby. Was it Lisa Irwin?
Sometimes in the confusion and rush for information in the early part of a case, things get overlooked. Interviews conducted by reporters are often edited for time or the euphoria of the scoop overshadows the detailed questions that need to be asked. With those things considered, I thought several things that came out early in the disappearance of Lisa Irwin merit reexamination.
I reached out to Mike Thompson for just that reason. If you remember, Mike is one of what I think may be two credible sightings in the overnight hours that Lisa went missing. The first interesting sighting, for me, is the 12:15 report by neighbors on Chelsea Street. The surveillance video at the BP gas station has become what many of us feel as nothing.
When I called Thompson, he was most cooperative. I wanted to meet him at the intersection of NE 48th St. and N Randolph so he could show me the exact locations of what he saw just after 4 a.m. on the morning of October 4, 2011.
We met today. A much colder day than the lower 50's the night Lisa went missing. But that night was cool enough a baby should have had more than just a diaper on.
Mike was getting off of work driving due south on his motorcycle on Hwy 435 taking the off ramp at NE 48th St. in Kansas City, Missouri. As he slowed down to turn west on NE 48th St., he saw a man walking from the south side of 48th, crossing the road, and heading north on N. Randolph. Mike stopped his motorcycle at the intersection. It was very well lit with street lights. By this time a man, carrying a baby was probably around 20 to 30 yards north of the intersection walking on N. Randolph. Mike says he hollered, "Are you okay?" The man turned toward Thompson, a baby clearly visible in his arms, only in a diaper, sitting straight up in his arms and alert. The man responded only with a nod.
Mike says the man had salt and pepper hair; short hair, but long enough for a comb. It was not a buzz cut. He is confident the man not only had a baby in his arms, but a live baby. The baby's body was clearly visible, not mistaken for a bag.
After he got the nonverbal response, Thompson recalls telling the man that he better get a coat or a blanket or something to that effect on the baby. He found it odd. Mike then drove off, westward down NE 48th Street to visit a cousin. The man continued to carry the baby north on N. Randolph.
Mike told his cousin what he saw but never thought much more about it for another week. As awareness of Lisa Irwin's disappearance increased over the week, Mike's cousin, told him he thought he should call the Kansas City police department (KCPD). He did.
Thompson says two KCPD detectives then visited his home some 90 miles from the sighting. Mike describes their reaction to his sighting as interested but not excited. As his observations were made public, the media onslaught began. Good Morning America took him out to dinner to woo him. He laughs and said I would have talked to them anyway.
Mike was shown photos by child advocate Gil Abeyta. In both Abeyta's presentation and the subsequent one by the KCPD when family former attorney Cyndy Short took him back to the KCPD, Thompson pointed to photos of James Brando, the estranged husband of then-next door neighbor Samantha Brando. Samantha has since filed for divorce and James is back living next door.
I met James Brando in early December 2011. At that time, some two months after Lisa's departure, his hair was short, close cropped. It is entirely possible that Thompson was not shown a photo of the man he saw that night and picked out someone who looked the closest.
Thompson says the man was wearing a white shirt and light colored pants. He guessed his height at around 5'7".
The direction that the man was heading, north on N. Randolph, was away from World's of Fun amusement park and certainly not in the direction of two abandoned cemetaries and adjacent areas that have been futilely searched. The direction the man was heading was to a residential area.
Thompson says he has seen photos of Jersey and the man he saw was not him. However, why would the person Thompson saw that night be on foot? It seems like it would have been someone that did not have transportation. By the streets, this location is three miles from the home of Jeremy Irwin and Deborah Bradley, Lisa's parents. If they walked the entire distance, it seems like a long way as well as dangerous to be spotted, if they did not have access to a vehicle.
Mike told me his heart really goes out to the family. He says he knows what he saw that night and wants to help in any way he can. Maybe by sharing this additional information publicly someone else who saw something that night will speak up, or if there is another explanation for a man walking with a baby, that man will step forward.
I reached out to Mike Thompson for just that reason. If you remember, Mike is one of what I think may be two credible sightings in the overnight hours that Lisa went missing. The first interesting sighting, for me, is the 12:15 report by neighbors on Chelsea Street. The surveillance video at the BP gas station has become what many of us feel as nothing.
When I called Thompson, he was most cooperative. I wanted to meet him at the intersection of NE 48th St. and N Randolph so he could show me the exact locations of what he saw just after 4 a.m. on the morning of October 4, 2011.
We met today. A much colder day than the lower 50's the night Lisa went missing. But that night was cool enough a baby should have had more than just a diaper on.
Mike was getting off of work driving due south on his motorcycle on Hwy 435 taking the off ramp at NE 48th St. in Kansas City, Missouri. As he slowed down to turn west on NE 48th St., he saw a man walking from the south side of 48th, crossing the road, and heading north on N. Randolph. Mike stopped his motorcycle at the intersection. It was very well lit with street lights. By this time a man, carrying a baby was probably around 20 to 30 yards north of the intersection walking on N. Randolph. Mike says he hollered, "Are you okay?" The man turned toward Thompson, a baby clearly visible in his arms, only in a diaper, sitting straight up in his arms and alert. The man responded only with a nod.
Mike says the man had salt and pepper hair; short hair, but long enough for a comb. It was not a buzz cut. He is confident the man not only had a baby in his arms, but a live baby. The baby's body was clearly visible, not mistaken for a bag.
After he got the nonverbal response, Thompson recalls telling the man that he better get a coat or a blanket or something to that effect on the baby. He found it odd. Mike then drove off, westward down NE 48th Street to visit a cousin. The man continued to carry the baby north on N. Randolph.
Mike told his cousin what he saw but never thought much more about it for another week. As awareness of Lisa Irwin's disappearance increased over the week, Mike's cousin, told him he thought he should call the Kansas City police department (KCPD). He did.
Thompson says two KCPD detectives then visited his home some 90 miles from the sighting. Mike describes their reaction to his sighting as interested but not excited. As his observations were made public, the media onslaught began. Good Morning America took him out to dinner to woo him. He laughs and said I would have talked to them anyway.
Mike was shown photos by child advocate Gil Abeyta. In both Abeyta's presentation and the subsequent one by the KCPD when family former attorney Cyndy Short took him back to the KCPD, Thompson pointed to photos of James Brando, the estranged husband of then-next door neighbor Samantha Brando. Samantha has since filed for divorce and James is back living next door.
I met James Brando in early December 2011. At that time, some two months after Lisa's departure, his hair was short, close cropped. It is entirely possible that Thompson was not shown a photo of the man he saw that night and picked out someone who looked the closest.
Thompson says the man was wearing a white shirt and light colored pants. He guessed his height at around 5'7".
The direction that the man was heading, north on N. Randolph, was away from World's of Fun amusement park and certainly not in the direction of two abandoned cemetaries and adjacent areas that have been futilely searched. The direction the man was heading was to a residential area.
Thompson says he has seen photos of Jersey and the man he saw was not him. However, why would the person Thompson saw that night be on foot? It seems like it would have been someone that did not have transportation. By the streets, this location is three miles from the home of Jeremy Irwin and Deborah Bradley, Lisa's parents. If they walked the entire distance, it seems like a long way as well as dangerous to be spotted, if they did not have access to a vehicle.
Mike told me his heart really goes out to the family. He says he knows what he saw that night and wants to help in any way he can. Maybe by sharing this additional information publicly someone else who saw something that night will speak up, or if there is another explanation for a man walking with a baby, that man will step forward.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Missing Lisa Irwin: 100 Days
It has now been 100 days since Lisa Irwin went missing from her home in Kansas City, Missouri's northland. If she is safe, she is 14 months old as of today. As time has passed, while it may feel we are no closer to answers, we have at least eliminated some questions.
In the last few months, I have received several emails and phone calls about Lisa's disappearance. Some of the correspondence has been theories or "gut feelings" from those who wanted to get my input or have me check information. While still other reactions have been things I have been asked to check into. Anything relevant I have come across, I have called Kansas City police with the information. However, there have been some tidbits come my way that I have checked out and come to dead ends.
I still get those potential leads even as late as the last few days. We will continue to check them out.
In reflecting of the last 100 days, there seems to have developed a lot of assumptions by many us. Did Deborah Bradley actually fail a lie detector given to her by KCPD? If you go back and review the TV interviews, it appears that Deborah Bradley offered up that information. She indicates that the KCPD told her she failed a question on the polygraph. However, she was given no proof of that nor has KCPD put out a public statement in that regard. Megyn Kelly of Fox News did say to the parents in an interview that authorities had told her Bradley had failed. However, as much misinformation that has been put out there, we do not know this to be fact.
When I say the Kansas City police department has not always been forthright, that is not at all a criticism. It is an observation. It has become a commonly held belief and accepted that police do this to get people to confess or otherwise provide information. Another example of inaccuracies was when authorities told Megan Wright (the woman whose phone was attempted to be dialed by someone on Bradley's phone that night) that her phone number was written on Deborah Bradley's hand. Both women deny knowing each other and the lack of evidence in phone records back that up.
Speaking of phone records, we have been granted legal access to Megan Wright's phone records from that night. Interestingly, that attempted call from Deborah Bradley's phone at 11:57 p.m. never reached Wright's phone. Many of us believe that phone call is key to this case. Whomever made that phone call was likely trying to reach either Megan or John "Jersey" Tanko. If you remember, Megan and Jersey had dated for five months but then had broke up under two weeks before Lisa's disappearance. Did whoever make that call know Jersey was no longer reachable at that number? Did they have the phone number memorized or was it written down?
Further, was there really an attempt to access the internet or voice mail from Bradley's phone at 3:17 a.m. and 3:22 a.m.? Or, is this another phone number written on the hand gimmick?
I do not believe Dane has anything to do with this. I could be wrong, but since the phone call did not go through that night, even though Dane was using Megan's phone all night, I believe he's an unlucky kid who was using a free phone. It is obvious now he did not lie about having received a call.
Dane, however, does not appear to be the Boy Scout or altar boy I would want my daughter to marry. We received a tip of a conversation Dane had recently outlining things that he claims happened that night. Having checked into that, it appears to be nothing more than a fabrication. I am guessing he derives pleasure in just trying to stir the pot.
What happened? I do not know. I suspect, only a gut instinct, that whatever happened only one to three people know, minimizing someone blabbing. Unless Lisa is found or someone talks recklessly, this case may never be solved.
In the last few months, I have received several emails and phone calls about Lisa's disappearance. Some of the correspondence has been theories or "gut feelings" from those who wanted to get my input or have me check information. While still other reactions have been things I have been asked to check into. Anything relevant I have come across, I have called Kansas City police with the information. However, there have been some tidbits come my way that I have checked out and come to dead ends.
I still get those potential leads even as late as the last few days. We will continue to check them out.
In reflecting of the last 100 days, there seems to have developed a lot of assumptions by many us. Did Deborah Bradley actually fail a lie detector given to her by KCPD? If you go back and review the TV interviews, it appears that Deborah Bradley offered up that information. She indicates that the KCPD told her she failed a question on the polygraph. However, she was given no proof of that nor has KCPD put out a public statement in that regard. Megyn Kelly of Fox News did say to the parents in an interview that authorities had told her Bradley had failed. However, as much misinformation that has been put out there, we do not know this to be fact.
When I say the Kansas City police department has not always been forthright, that is not at all a criticism. It is an observation. It has become a commonly held belief and accepted that police do this to get people to confess or otherwise provide information. Another example of inaccuracies was when authorities told Megan Wright (the woman whose phone was attempted to be dialed by someone on Bradley's phone that night) that her phone number was written on Deborah Bradley's hand. Both women deny knowing each other and the lack of evidence in phone records back that up.
Speaking of phone records, we have been granted legal access to Megan Wright's phone records from that night. Interestingly, that attempted call from Deborah Bradley's phone at 11:57 p.m. never reached Wright's phone. Many of us believe that phone call is key to this case. Whomever made that phone call was likely trying to reach either Megan or John "Jersey" Tanko. If you remember, Megan and Jersey had dated for five months but then had broke up under two weeks before Lisa's disappearance. Did whoever make that call know Jersey was no longer reachable at that number? Did they have the phone number memorized or was it written down?
Further, was there really an attempt to access the internet or voice mail from Bradley's phone at 3:17 a.m. and 3:22 a.m.? Or, is this another phone number written on the hand gimmick?
I do not believe Dane has anything to do with this. I could be wrong, but since the phone call did not go through that night, even though Dane was using Megan's phone all night, I believe he's an unlucky kid who was using a free phone. It is obvious now he did not lie about having received a call.
Dane, however, does not appear to be the Boy Scout or altar boy I would want my daughter to marry. We received a tip of a conversation Dane had recently outlining things that he claims happened that night. Having checked into that, it appears to be nothing more than a fabrication. I am guessing he derives pleasure in just trying to stir the pot.
What happened? I do not know. I suspect, only a gut instinct, that whatever happened only one to three people know, minimizing someone blabbing. Unless Lisa is found or someone talks recklessly, this case may never be solved.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Missing Baby Lisa Irwin: Additional Insight
The more I listen, the more I learn. I think Mark Twain said something profound about that or maybe it was another pundit.
Yesterday, a fellow private investigator (PI) friend of mine was in town. The thing that makes PI work interesting is that so many of us come from different backgrounds that give us the experience in the work we do. He is former law enforcement.
We discussed the Lisa Irwin, missing baby case (it seems so impersonal to me to refer to her as Baby Lisa; just a preference of mine). I filled him in on some undisputed facts on the case, as well as items that were not confirmed, but verbalized.
I told him that, albeit unsubstantiated, Lisa's mother Deborah Bradley reportedly failed only one question on the Kansas City PD polygraph. I am told it was if she knew where her daughter was.
My friend says while that sounds bad, much depends on what the subsequent questions were. Was she also asked, do you think your daughter is in Kansas City? Assuming she said no to where her daughter is, is it because she actually thinks her daughter is in heaven? You get the idea.
Then, I shared with him that I do not have an opinion, at this time, as to who I think is culpable. Since learning new information in the case, rather than point fingers at one or more individuals, I have gathered information or it comes to me, and then I let the reader make their own determinations.
I told him it is hard to get beyond a cadaver dog "hit". The information I read and the people I talk to tell me it is indisputable. Is that true?
He said, "let's find out". He called a colleague who owns a cadaver dog. Reporting back to me, he told me this owner says we need more information about the "hit". Not to be graphic, but unless a dead body was on the floor at that spot and someone put it in a plastic bag right there, there should be a trail from that location resulting in subsequent hits. Also, was the carpet lifted up and the dog allowed to sniff the hardwood floor underneath, in case vomit and other things result in "hits". This is just the opinion of one person who shared it with me.
Then, there is my friend Pat Brown, the criminal profiler, who I respect immensely. Here is an article she wrote this week on cadaver dogs. http://womenincrimeink.blogspot.com/2011/12/are-cadaver-dogs-saying-youre-lying.html
I know my discussion of this is going to result in attacks on me by those who believe Deborah Bradley knows what happened to Lisa. The tone of feedback I get from my comments or my blogs depends on what the person already has in their mind to believe. I have noticed their opinion is not changed. They only decide whether they like me or what I say based on what their opinion already is.
Again, I do not know what happened that night. I suspect whomever is responsible for Lisa's disappearance, only a few know the truth or somebody would have already blabbed.
If you do not like the information that comes my way, feel free to ignore it. I am good with that. But somebody needs to try to get answers. I keep trying because I can.
Yesterday, a fellow private investigator (PI) friend of mine was in town. The thing that makes PI work interesting is that so many of us come from different backgrounds that give us the experience in the work we do. He is former law enforcement.
We discussed the Lisa Irwin, missing baby case (it seems so impersonal to me to refer to her as Baby Lisa; just a preference of mine). I filled him in on some undisputed facts on the case, as well as items that were not confirmed, but verbalized.
I told him that, albeit unsubstantiated, Lisa's mother Deborah Bradley reportedly failed only one question on the Kansas City PD polygraph. I am told it was if she knew where her daughter was.
My friend says while that sounds bad, much depends on what the subsequent questions were. Was she also asked, do you think your daughter is in Kansas City? Assuming she said no to where her daughter is, is it because she actually thinks her daughter is in heaven? You get the idea.
Then, I shared with him that I do not have an opinion, at this time, as to who I think is culpable. Since learning new information in the case, rather than point fingers at one or more individuals, I have gathered information or it comes to me, and then I let the reader make their own determinations.
I told him it is hard to get beyond a cadaver dog "hit". The information I read and the people I talk to tell me it is indisputable. Is that true?
He said, "let's find out". He called a colleague who owns a cadaver dog. Reporting back to me, he told me this owner says we need more information about the "hit". Not to be graphic, but unless a dead body was on the floor at that spot and someone put it in a plastic bag right there, there should be a trail from that location resulting in subsequent hits. Also, was the carpet lifted up and the dog allowed to sniff the hardwood floor underneath, in case vomit and other things result in "hits". This is just the opinion of one person who shared it with me.
Then, there is my friend Pat Brown, the criminal profiler, who I respect immensely. Here is an article she wrote this week on cadaver dogs. http://womenincrimeink.blogspot.com/2011/12/are-cadaver-dogs-saying-youre-lying.html
I know my discussion of this is going to result in attacks on me by those who believe Deborah Bradley knows what happened to Lisa. The tone of feedback I get from my comments or my blogs depends on what the person already has in their mind to believe. I have noticed their opinion is not changed. They only decide whether they like me or what I say based on what their opinion already is.
Again, I do not know what happened that night. I suspect whomever is responsible for Lisa's disappearance, only a few know the truth or somebody would have already blabbed.
If you do not like the information that comes my way, feel free to ignore it. I am good with that. But somebody needs to try to get answers. I keep trying because I can.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Progress for Lisa Irwin
There are still no definitive answers as to what happened to Lisa Irwin, missing for over two months now. However, I have personally been in a whirlwind for nearly a week now with new information that has come my way. I share the new information in hopes that others will have a greater understanding and maybe some how we can work together for some positive results.
I now know the answer to one of the questions. When family attorneys say that the 50 second phone call did not go through to Megan Wright's phone at 11:57pm on October 3, 2011, I can confirm they are correct. This information was confided to me on condition of anonymity and I am personally satisfied it is accurate. That may make Dane Greathouse irrelevant to this whole case. Since the call did not go through, we know that Dane did not withhold knowledge of receiving a call. He may very well be the unlucky guy who happened to be taking advantage of use of a free phone that night at a very inopportune time for him.
After I received this information, I texted Dane at his new number. I explained to him that if he would like to shed light on the phone calls he made and received that night, he could very well get people to stop talking about him. His reply via text, assuming that was him replying on his phone (confirmed that it was his phone via the voice mail message): "I don't have time for games. Unless u have a milli in cash. all ben franks. Top it off with everyday i haue (sic) a full tank. Ha good night."
He had an opportunity to clear things up. If he still wishes to do so, I am not hard to reach.
I then spent some time with James Brando on Saturday afternoon, the next door neighbor to Lisa Irwin's parents. James offered to help me decipher any cell information that came my way, telling me about his experience in that area. He laughed and said I am sure you are aware of my experience. I told him a lot of us are aware. We then discussed Gil Abeyta's "profile" that fingers him as the lead suspect. He said he has a copy of that report. If I remember right, Mike Thompson (the motorcyclist with the potential 4:10am sighting of a potential suspect) said the person had salt and pepper gray hair. At this time, Brando has his hair trimmed to the scalp and it did not appear to have much gray from the growth I saw. I am not convinced, with all due respect to Mr. Abeyta, that Brando has any culpability.
I also met Samantha Brando for a bit as James and I spoke. She remains friends with Deborah Bradley. Again, both of these persons appear to be innocent players as much information as I have pulled together from both this weekend and previously.
Sunday, before going out to do other work, I stopped by the prayer vigil that was to be conducted at Penguin Park. Nine persons, including some teenagers there with their moms, showed up. One cameraman for a local TV station was there without a reporter. Following a brief prayer, the attendees went to a nearby traffic light intersection to pass out flyers to any motorists who would roll down their windows while they were stopped.
More drama. One of the attendees who I have previously had very pleasant conversations with and has shared some information and ideas with me, instead of approaching me as I visited with others there, chose to walk off when everyone disbursed shouting from across the parking lot. She said she knows that I am protecting Megan Wright, but I need to take a closer look at her. After I posted this occurrence on my business Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/kansascitypi), she later emailed me and apologized, admitting that her anger was displaced.
I explained to her that I am not protecting anybody. But, I do not believe Megan has anything to do with what happened that night. Megan does not know that family and, in spite of Facebook posters contentions to the contrary, she told me Sunday she does not know Deborah Bradley's brother Tony Netz.
At the vigil event on Sunday, Teri Carlson came up to speak with me. Teri lives on North Chelsea not far from the Irwin residence. She lives next door to a man named Denny. This is the residence where Jersey (John Tanko) was staying while the owner was out of town and watering his lawn. The lawn had just recently been seeded and Jersey's job was to rotate the sprinklers and keep the lawn wet.
She said she had seen him between 11am and 5pm on Sunday, October 2. She asked and he accepted to go to church with her at Sheffield Assembly of God. After church, he shared Sunday noon dinner with her. She also had other company, a fellow church goer and his son. At some point, Jersey offered the son "some weed".
Later in the day, Jersey asked Teri for some ice for his cooler for his alcohol. I am not clear why, since he was staying at Denny's house, he did not get ice there. Nonetheless, he also showed Teri, a licensed massage therapist, his swollen knee. He claimed he had been hit by a car while walking on North Brighton (previously reported as N. Lister and now corrected). I asked Megan about that yesterday and she was not aware of it but said she had seen him on one occasion using a cane. He was not using a cane on this day.
Teri then left for her second job at 10pm that Sunday night and did not see Jersey again on Monday. She noticed on Tuesday morning (after Lisa had gone missing), however, Denny's yard was muddy from over watering.
I would be interested in knowing if cadaver dogs were ever taken to Denny's property.
I also spoke, over the weekend, to a source close to the family (nobody I previously mentioned here). I am told that the carpeting that was taken by law enforcement the day the search warrant was executed came from the shed behind the Irwin residence. This person suspected this was more of a photo op than anything else. I cannot confirm this, in fairness.
More information continues to come to me. My work here is to share it in hopes it will trigger information from others who can help. I have pledged to an extended family member that I will not post anything that could bring harm to Lisa or hinder her return.
Why me and who the hell am I? Early in this case, I was criticized because I was not doing anything to help. Once I started helping, I was criticized because who the hell am I to insert myself into this case. Marc Klaas, father of Polly Klaas (abducted in California nearly 20 years ago) and founder of KlaasKIDS, told me the best advice he could give me was pay no attention. He said he was the target of a lot of misguided, mean comments, and to just ignore them and do my work. I, in no way, put myself on the same level as Marc. We have become friends, however, in the last several weeks and I feel for what he went through and can only thank my God that I do not know his pain. Marc is someone I have immense respect for.
As a former news reporter and now a private investigator, I live less then 10 miles from the crime scene and my office is 10 miles the other direction. Early in this case, but not at the outset, I got to know both network and local reporters and shared thoughts and ideas as we were all trying to figure this out. Without seeking publicity, behind the scenes, I have given information to several and shared some ideas on potential questions to be asked. Humbly, I am sure they did not need me, but they seemed interested and open. When Dane returned to town, I was responsible for providing Dane's new cell number to one reporter, which he ended up exchanging text messages with. There are other behind-the-scenes assistance I have provided but I still do not need to enumerate to get credit.
I raised my own boys with no child support after getting custody of them six years after their mom and I divorced. It was that divorce that prompted me to go in the private investigation business some 17 years ago, full- and part-time. Three years after I got custody, I decided I was not spending enough time with them. I feared they would grow up too soon and after working so hard to make sure they were safe with me and had a good upbringing, I did not want to blow it so I quit a lucrative full time job and took my PI work full time. They are adults now.
My work experience also includes working in public information for the director of the Missouri Department of Social Services under then-Governor John Ashcroft's administration. We dealt with many children's issues in my work there. From my professional experience and that of being a father, I care about kids.
I was also lucky to have a good upbringing. Raised on a Mid-Missouri farm, both of my parents taught Sunday School and my dad was a deacon in our church. My dad is not a formally educated man, but he is smart and always been respected by many. One of the many things he taught me was your word means everything. If you cannot give your word, you have nothing.
In all humility, I am no more talented than most other PIs. Admittedly, I normally do not take criminal cases. My background is in journalism, not law enforcement. But, in this case, people have opened up and talked to me.
As crazy as it makes some armchair detectives, when I quote a source anonymously rather than name them, it is because I have assured them that, for whatever the reason, I will share information they will allow me to, but I will withhold their identity. Sometimes they want their identity withheld because they do not want the public spotlight. Other times they could get in trouble for talking to me. They continue to have my word. If we all work together, maybe more answers will come our way.
Copyright 2011 Rugen Team Investigations. You may link to this site but copyright law prohibits from cutting and pasting this blog. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook as KansasCitypi.
I now know the answer to one of the questions. When family attorneys say that the 50 second phone call did not go through to Megan Wright's phone at 11:57pm on October 3, 2011, I can confirm they are correct. This information was confided to me on condition of anonymity and I am personally satisfied it is accurate. That may make Dane Greathouse irrelevant to this whole case. Since the call did not go through, we know that Dane did not withhold knowledge of receiving a call. He may very well be the unlucky guy who happened to be taking advantage of use of a free phone that night at a very inopportune time for him.
After I received this information, I texted Dane at his new number. I explained to him that if he would like to shed light on the phone calls he made and received that night, he could very well get people to stop talking about him. His reply via text, assuming that was him replying on his phone (confirmed that it was his phone via the voice mail message): "I don't have time for games. Unless u have a milli in cash. all ben franks. Top it off with everyday i haue (sic) a full tank. Ha good night."
He had an opportunity to clear things up. If he still wishes to do so, I am not hard to reach.
I then spent some time with James Brando on Saturday afternoon, the next door neighbor to Lisa Irwin's parents. James offered to help me decipher any cell information that came my way, telling me about his experience in that area. He laughed and said I am sure you are aware of my experience. I told him a lot of us are aware. We then discussed Gil Abeyta's "profile" that fingers him as the lead suspect. He said he has a copy of that report. If I remember right, Mike Thompson (the motorcyclist with the potential 4:10am sighting of a potential suspect) said the person had salt and pepper gray hair. At this time, Brando has his hair trimmed to the scalp and it did not appear to have much gray from the growth I saw. I am not convinced, with all due respect to Mr. Abeyta, that Brando has any culpability.
I also met Samantha Brando for a bit as James and I spoke. She remains friends with Deborah Bradley. Again, both of these persons appear to be innocent players as much information as I have pulled together from both this weekend and previously.
Sunday, before going out to do other work, I stopped by the prayer vigil that was to be conducted at Penguin Park. Nine persons, including some teenagers there with their moms, showed up. One cameraman for a local TV station was there without a reporter. Following a brief prayer, the attendees went to a nearby traffic light intersection to pass out flyers to any motorists who would roll down their windows while they were stopped.
More drama. One of the attendees who I have previously had very pleasant conversations with and has shared some information and ideas with me, instead of approaching me as I visited with others there, chose to walk off when everyone disbursed shouting from across the parking lot. She said she knows that I am protecting Megan Wright, but I need to take a closer look at her. After I posted this occurrence on my business Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/kansascitypi), she later emailed me and apologized, admitting that her anger was displaced.
I explained to her that I am not protecting anybody. But, I do not believe Megan has anything to do with what happened that night. Megan does not know that family and, in spite of Facebook posters contentions to the contrary, she told me Sunday she does not know Deborah Bradley's brother Tony Netz.
At the vigil event on Sunday, Teri Carlson came up to speak with me. Teri lives on North Chelsea not far from the Irwin residence. She lives next door to a man named Denny. This is the residence where Jersey (John Tanko) was staying while the owner was out of town and watering his lawn. The lawn had just recently been seeded and Jersey's job was to rotate the sprinklers and keep the lawn wet.
She said she had seen him between 11am and 5pm on Sunday, October 2. She asked and he accepted to go to church with her at Sheffield Assembly of God. After church, he shared Sunday noon dinner with her. She also had other company, a fellow church goer and his son. At some point, Jersey offered the son "some weed".
Later in the day, Jersey asked Teri for some ice for his cooler for his alcohol. I am not clear why, since he was staying at Denny's house, he did not get ice there. Nonetheless, he also showed Teri, a licensed massage therapist, his swollen knee. He claimed he had been hit by a car while walking on North Brighton (previously reported as N. Lister and now corrected). I asked Megan about that yesterday and she was not aware of it but said she had seen him on one occasion using a cane. He was not using a cane on this day.
Teri then left for her second job at 10pm that Sunday night and did not see Jersey again on Monday. She noticed on Tuesday morning (after Lisa had gone missing), however, Denny's yard was muddy from over watering.
I would be interested in knowing if cadaver dogs were ever taken to Denny's property.
I also spoke, over the weekend, to a source close to the family (nobody I previously mentioned here). I am told that the carpeting that was taken by law enforcement the day the search warrant was executed came from the shed behind the Irwin residence. This person suspected this was more of a photo op than anything else. I cannot confirm this, in fairness.
More information continues to come to me. My work here is to share it in hopes it will trigger information from others who can help. I have pledged to an extended family member that I will not post anything that could bring harm to Lisa or hinder her return.
Why me and who the hell am I? Early in this case, I was criticized because I was not doing anything to help. Once I started helping, I was criticized because who the hell am I to insert myself into this case. Marc Klaas, father of Polly Klaas (abducted in California nearly 20 years ago) and founder of KlaasKIDS, told me the best advice he could give me was pay no attention. He said he was the target of a lot of misguided, mean comments, and to just ignore them and do my work. I, in no way, put myself on the same level as Marc. We have become friends, however, in the last several weeks and I feel for what he went through and can only thank my God that I do not know his pain. Marc is someone I have immense respect for.
As a former news reporter and now a private investigator, I live less then 10 miles from the crime scene and my office is 10 miles the other direction. Early in this case, but not at the outset, I got to know both network and local reporters and shared thoughts and ideas as we were all trying to figure this out. Without seeking publicity, behind the scenes, I have given information to several and shared some ideas on potential questions to be asked. Humbly, I am sure they did not need me, but they seemed interested and open. When Dane returned to town, I was responsible for providing Dane's new cell number to one reporter, which he ended up exchanging text messages with. There are other behind-the-scenes assistance I have provided but I still do not need to enumerate to get credit.
I raised my own boys with no child support after getting custody of them six years after their mom and I divorced. It was that divorce that prompted me to go in the private investigation business some 17 years ago, full- and part-time. Three years after I got custody, I decided I was not spending enough time with them. I feared they would grow up too soon and after working so hard to make sure they were safe with me and had a good upbringing, I did not want to blow it so I quit a lucrative full time job and took my PI work full time. They are adults now.
My work experience also includes working in public information for the director of the Missouri Department of Social Services under then-Governor John Ashcroft's administration. We dealt with many children's issues in my work there. From my professional experience and that of being a father, I care about kids.
I was also lucky to have a good upbringing. Raised on a Mid-Missouri farm, both of my parents taught Sunday School and my dad was a deacon in our church. My dad is not a formally educated man, but he is smart and always been respected by many. One of the many things he taught me was your word means everything. If you cannot give your word, you have nothing.
In all humility, I am no more talented than most other PIs. Admittedly, I normally do not take criminal cases. My background is in journalism, not law enforcement. But, in this case, people have opened up and talked to me.
As crazy as it makes some armchair detectives, when I quote a source anonymously rather than name them, it is because I have assured them that, for whatever the reason, I will share information they will allow me to, but I will withhold their identity. Sometimes they want their identity withheld because they do not want the public spotlight. Other times they could get in trouble for talking to me. They continue to have my word. If we all work together, maybe more answers will come our way.
Copyright 2011 Rugen Team Investigations. You may link to this site but copyright law prohibits from cutting and pasting this blog. Follow us on Twitter or Facebook as KansasCitypi.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Lisa Irwin Case: Do You See What I See?
Saturday was a cold, wet day here in Kansas City. Over 20 cars pulled in the parking lot at the former Sam's Town Casino with hope; hope of bringing closure to the Lisa Irwin case while having an overriding hope that they wouldn't find her....hope that she is still alive.
I arrived around 10 a.m. and stayed about 40 minutes because I had a commitment I could not get out of. I spoke to several people who were bundled up and checked in at a canopy with a few volunteers, as we tried to keep the canopy from blowing away.
Every person I spoke to that was there told me they did not believe that Texas woman who suggested this search as a result of a what she labeled a psychic vision. However, like me, their attitude was "what the heck". What harm does it do to try yet another avenue no matter how it was suggested? Personally, as I told a reporter for Examiner.com yesterday, I think Google and Google Earth are a psychic's best friend.
We have heard that law enforcement officials sometimes use psychics in missing person cases. Why? Is it because of public pressure? Is it because they don't have to show them their files unlike willing profilers who would lend a hand?
I am not going to be one of those who speak poorly of the FBI or the KCPD. I have said time and again that I have the utmost respect for them. After all, we do not know nor should we know all of the nuances of the case and the information they have gathered from witnesses or searches. There is no reason they should play their hand while they seek a suspect in whatever happened. If possible, however, perhaps the release of some non-compromising tips would prompt others to consider they may have saw a piece of that puzzle that night and be able to add to it.
Why not ask the good folks at Texas Equine Search to assist? Again, like the "vision", what is the harm other than cost?
On another note, I have reached out to the man that was using Megan Wright's cell phone the night Lisa disappeared; the phone that someone using Deborah Bradley's phone attempted to call. I have texted Dane's new cell number and have not yet received a response. He could very easily minimize the continuance of his name being brought up in this whole affair if we knew the person(s) he was speaking with off and on that night before reportedly crashing on the couch around 5 a.m. Maybe he refuses to reply since it was me bringing another of Megan's temporary roommates to a Fox4KC interview where his name was then first inserted into the dialogue.
I see a missing baby case that's visibility is rapidly evaporating. The networks have all packed up and left town. The local TV stations no longer have it as their lead story. And, rightfully so. Having been in the news business, I understand that when there is nothing new happening, there is no news to report.
I see a curious person whose name has been brought up into this case that may not be out of jail for a while. John "Jersey" Tanko has a court date on unrelated charges for April 8, 2012. He is in Clay County jail on $10k bond and is being represented by a public defender. Jersey may very well have answers to this case that he refuses to share with law enforcement. On the other hand, he may be another unlucky person who was an easy scapegoat for lawyers looking to pin public perception of culpability on anybody but their clients.
My office is less than 10 miles from the crime scene. I have visited with and traded speculation off camera with local and network reporters for weeks about this case. Even having followed this case at ground zero, there are far too many variables to pinpoint blame in any one direction definitively. There continue to be too many unanswered questions, so that is why so many good-hearted people got their feet wet Saturday and decided "let's just look". They would rather be wrong about looking than wonder if they missed an opportunity to do the right thing for an innocent baby who did not ask for any of this.
I arrived around 10 a.m. and stayed about 40 minutes because I had a commitment I could not get out of. I spoke to several people who were bundled up and checked in at a canopy with a few volunteers, as we tried to keep the canopy from blowing away.
Every person I spoke to that was there told me they did not believe that Texas woman who suggested this search as a result of a what she labeled a psychic vision. However, like me, their attitude was "what the heck". What harm does it do to try yet another avenue no matter how it was suggested? Personally, as I told a reporter for Examiner.com yesterday, I think Google and Google Earth are a psychic's best friend.
We have heard that law enforcement officials sometimes use psychics in missing person cases. Why? Is it because of public pressure? Is it because they don't have to show them their files unlike willing profilers who would lend a hand?
I am not going to be one of those who speak poorly of the FBI or the KCPD. I have said time and again that I have the utmost respect for them. After all, we do not know nor should we know all of the nuances of the case and the information they have gathered from witnesses or searches. There is no reason they should play their hand while they seek a suspect in whatever happened. If possible, however, perhaps the release of some non-compromising tips would prompt others to consider they may have saw a piece of that puzzle that night and be able to add to it.
Why not ask the good folks at Texas Equine Search to assist? Again, like the "vision", what is the harm other than cost?
On another note, I have reached out to the man that was using Megan Wright's cell phone the night Lisa disappeared; the phone that someone using Deborah Bradley's phone attempted to call. I have texted Dane's new cell number and have not yet received a response. He could very easily minimize the continuance of his name being brought up in this whole affair if we knew the person(s) he was speaking with off and on that night before reportedly crashing on the couch around 5 a.m. Maybe he refuses to reply since it was me bringing another of Megan's temporary roommates to a Fox4KC interview where his name was then first inserted into the dialogue.
I see a missing baby case that's visibility is rapidly evaporating. The networks have all packed up and left town. The local TV stations no longer have it as their lead story. And, rightfully so. Having been in the news business, I understand that when there is nothing new happening, there is no news to report.
I see a curious person whose name has been brought up into this case that may not be out of jail for a while. John "Jersey" Tanko has a court date on unrelated charges for April 8, 2012. He is in Clay County jail on $10k bond and is being represented by a public defender. Jersey may very well have answers to this case that he refuses to share with law enforcement. On the other hand, he may be another unlucky person who was an easy scapegoat for lawyers looking to pin public perception of culpability on anybody but their clients.
My office is less than 10 miles from the crime scene. I have visited with and traded speculation off camera with local and network reporters for weeks about this case. Even having followed this case at ground zero, there are far too many variables to pinpoint blame in any one direction definitively. There continue to be too many unanswered questions, so that is why so many good-hearted people got their feet wet Saturday and decided "let's just look". They would rather be wrong about looking than wonder if they missed an opportunity to do the right thing for an innocent baby who did not ask for any of this.
Monday, November 21, 2011
The Lisa Irwin Case: Mom's Phone Appears to Be the Key
Whether it be the 50 second cell phone call that was reportedly attempted from Deborah Bradley's phone or the alleged attempts to access her voice mail and/or internet some three hours later, it would appear her phone holds the key to many answers in the case of her missing baby, Lisa Irwin.
There are so many unanswered questions in this case and twists and turns, those of us who are watching it closely think about it all the time. I was watching my Mizzou Tigers play football Saturday afternoon, trying to relax, and I was still sorting out some of the Baby Lisa information in my head. I could not relax.
The number of people who may have used Deborah Bradley's phone that fateful night are far greater than the number of people who that 11:57 p.m. phone call could have been intended for. So, rather than try to figure out who was using the phone, it seems more logical to work backwards from who may have been intended to receive the call.
None of this analysis is conclusive, but it is fairly narrow in scope. Further, I am not impugning anything on any of these persons. It is what it is. They may have possibly been intended to receive a call from someone who may, for one reason or another, been using Deborah Bradley's phone.
Keep in mind that Megan Wright claims she had that phone number three or four months prior to this incident. A former roommate had thought she only had it a month-and-a-half to two months.
Of those that either had access to or was believed to be able to be reached via Megan Wright's cell phone that night: Megan Wright, Dane G., John "Jersey" Tanko, or the couple who are the head of the household Megan was staying in. When you consider this small number of people and you work your way back to who may have tried to call them, it may help come closer to solving part of this mystery. Then, while the married couple who are head of Megan's former household are eliminated as unlikely recipients, it brings us down to those three possibilities of intended recipients: Megan, Dane, or Jersey.
Why would anybody try to reach any one of those individuals on Megan's phone? Who could have been trying to reach one of them? In order to determine who made the attempted phone call, we have to investigate further and find out if any of these people had a connection with any one of these three. It is not yet known, but here are some possible persons who could have tried to call one of them. Whomever made the phone call would likely to have had the number memorized, unless it was Deborah Bradley and it was already programmed into her phone.
If the intended recipient was:
Find the answers to the phone and we may all be able to solve this case.
UPDATE: Regarding phone records, Megan Wright said her phone was a pay-as-you-go Virgin Mobile. Sprint owns Virgin Mobile. There is a very high chance that while her phone had no SIMM card, there are still records (CDRs - Cell Detail Records) showing who Dane was on the phone with that night. If, for example, the cell towers were owned by a carrier other than Sprint, then Sprint has to pay a fee to that other carrier for its users using those towers. Thus, there is likely an incoming/outgoing call log to prove that the carrier owes that money on behalf of their customer.
http://foxnewsinsider.com/2011/11/21/mobile-forensic-examiner-discusses-what-cell-phone-calls-may-reveal-in-case-of-lisa-irwin/
If you have any potential leads on this case, feel free to go to my website, www.kc-pi.com and click the "Email Us" tab. Any thing that is of value will be forward to the Kansas City Police Department. By discussing some of the unanswered questions, it may help someone to add a piece to this puzzle.
There are so many unanswered questions in this case and twists and turns, those of us who are watching it closely think about it all the time. I was watching my Mizzou Tigers play football Saturday afternoon, trying to relax, and I was still sorting out some of the Baby Lisa information in my head. I could not relax.
The number of people who may have used Deborah Bradley's phone that fateful night are far greater than the number of people who that 11:57 p.m. phone call could have been intended for. So, rather than try to figure out who was using the phone, it seems more logical to work backwards from who may have been intended to receive the call.
None of this analysis is conclusive, but it is fairly narrow in scope. Further, I am not impugning anything on any of these persons. It is what it is. They may have possibly been intended to receive a call from someone who may, for one reason or another, been using Deborah Bradley's phone.
Keep in mind that Megan Wright claims she had that phone number three or four months prior to this incident. A former roommate had thought she only had it a month-and-a-half to two months.
Of those that either had access to or was believed to be able to be reached via Megan Wright's cell phone that night: Megan Wright, Dane G., John "Jersey" Tanko, or the couple who are the head of the household Megan was staying in. When you consider this small number of people and you work your way back to who may have tried to call them, it may help come closer to solving part of this mystery. Then, while the married couple who are head of Megan's former household are eliminated as unlikely recipients, it brings us down to those three possibilities of intended recipients: Megan, Dane, or Jersey.
Why would anybody try to reach any one of those individuals on Megan's phone? Who could have been trying to reach one of them? In order to determine who made the attempted phone call, we have to investigate further and find out if any of these people had a connection with any one of these three. It is not yet known, but here are some possible persons who could have tried to call one of them. Whomever made the phone call would likely to have had the number memorized, unless it was Deborah Bradley and it was already programmed into her phone.
If the intended recipient was:
- Megan Wright - Jersey seems the most likely person to have tried to call her. According to Megan, they met toward the end of March, started dating around the beginning of April and broke up around 10 days, give or take, prior to Lisa Irwin's disappearance.
- Dane G. - Dane may have well been the unlucky guy who was taking advantage of the use of Megan's phone that night. But, we do not know who he was on the phone with during the reportedly multiple conversations he had on that phone that evening well into the night. Dane had not lived in the the house long prior to Lisa Irwin's disappearance. Did Dane know Jersey, Deborah Bradley, Shane Beagley(who lived two doors down from Bradley and was on her door step that night with her and Samantha Brando from next door), James Brando (Samantha's estranged husband), or Phillip Netz (Bradley's brother; we do not know if he had his own phone).
- Jersey - Where do we begin on who could have called him? This is a man who traveled this neighborhood often. If we believe what others have said, he solicited handyman work in the neighborhood and may have stayed in unoccupied homes there. In his numerous neighborhood travels, did he ever solicit work from or otherwise meet: Deborah Bradley, Jeremy Irwin, the Brandos, Shane, or Phillip.
Find the answers to the phone and we may all be able to solve this case.
UPDATE: Regarding phone records, Megan Wright said her phone was a pay-as-you-go Virgin Mobile. Sprint owns Virgin Mobile. There is a very high chance that while her phone had no SIMM card, there are still records (CDRs - Cell Detail Records) showing who Dane was on the phone with that night. If, for example, the cell towers were owned by a carrier other than Sprint, then Sprint has to pay a fee to that other carrier for its users using those towers. Thus, there is likely an incoming/outgoing call log to prove that the carrier owes that money on behalf of their customer.
http://foxnewsinsider.com/2011/11/21/mobile-forensic-examiner-discusses-what-cell-phone-calls-may-reveal-in-case-of-lisa-irwin/
If you have any potential leads on this case, feel free to go to my website, www.kc-pi.com and click the "Email Us" tab. Any thing that is of value will be forward to the Kansas City Police Department. By discussing some of the unanswered questions, it may help someone to add a piece to this puzzle.
Friday, November 18, 2011
The Baby Lisa Irwin Investigation: Megan Wright Reacts to Dane
The
information continues to trickle out about the events surrounding the
disappearance of baby Lisa Irwin.
Yesterday, Russ Ptacek, NBC Action News investigative reporter at
KSHB-TV in Kansas City, spoke with the man who was reportedly on Megan Wright’s
cell phone much of that tragic evening.
Dane spoke with Ptacek via text message and Dane’s father had a brief conversation with Ptacek face to face. If you missed that episode, here is the link to that exclusive story:
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/baby-lisa-mystery-phone-man-acknowledges-having-phone-that-received-call-from-irwin-family-cell
Dane spoke with Ptacek via text message and Dane’s father had a brief conversation with Ptacek face to face. If you missed that episode, here is the link to that exclusive story:
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/baby-lisa-mystery-phone-man-acknowledges-having-phone-that-received-call-from-irwin-family-cell
In the continuing saga of trying to keep our scorecards up to date, I spoke with Megan Wright this morning and shared Russ’ story with her. While speaking with me over internet instant messaging (remember her cell phone was confiscated by law enforcement), she discussed her reaction to Dane’s comments.
Rugen: What do you make of that? I thought somebody else had said that Dane was on the phone with his girlfriend that night but wasn’t she downstairs with you clipping coupons?
Wright:
He was pissed at me for telling the police that he was the one who I was
told had my phone all night. The last time I saw Dane, he glared at me before
getting pissy and walking away.
She isn't
his girlfriend, although she tried.
Rugen: Okay. So
who is his girlfriend?
Wright: From what Dane said to me, she wanted a relationship, he
wanted his baby momma back. Or the woman he was with before, the girl with the
restraining order on him.
Rugen: So Dane had a baby with the woman who filed
the restraining order against him?
Wright: I don’t think she was the mother of his child, but she had a
child the same age that they raised together, while they were together, as I
understood it. And Dane straight lied to
Russ (Ptacek).
Rugen: The same age as whom? Which part of what Dane said was lies?
Wright: He used my phone to call his mom to try to get his phone
turned back on, she told him to act like a grown up and get it done himself. I
witnessed the conversation.; the same age as Dane's daughter.
Rugen: What time did he call his mom roughly?
Wright: Hell if I know, that boy had my phone more than I did.
Rugen: Any idea if it was early in the evening or
after midnight or...?
Wright: A different day. TOTALLY
DIFFERENT DAY.
Rugen: So, you are saying that he lied when he told
Russ Ptacek he was trying to get his service on that night and that is not
true?
Wright: It was not that night. He called his mother on a totally
different day. Mid-morning, I'm not sure the date.
Rugen: Before or after Baby Lisa's disappearance?
Wright: After, if I remember correctly.
Rugen: One of your former roommates tell me that the
day after the disappearance the FBI called your cell, Dane answered, and gave
them a fake name? Do you know anything about that?
Wright: Yes. Dane mentioned it to me, and when I was downtown for my
interrogation on the 8th, the detectives lied at first, saying that
there was no phone call. Then, less than
5 hours later, told me that it was true. Apparently, they talked for over 20
minutes, Dane gave them a fake name and thought the whole thing was a joke.
Rugen: Did Dane ever go downtown to talk to law
enforcement?
Wright: Not that I was ever aware of, but I haven't talked to him
since the day law enforcement talked to him in the yard. He left late that
night, and I stayed away from him because he was constantly glaring at me.
Rugen: And what day was that.
Wright: On the second or third time the police came to the house.
Close to the (October)12th or 14th, if I had to ball park it.
Rugen: Okay. Can I ask you a few things about
Jersey? When did you all break up again? I'm unclear.
Wright: About a week and a half before Lisa went missing.
Rugen: Okay, so when is the last time you saw Jersey
or heard from him? Anytime after that? A
next door neighbor, said Jersey came over once, got mad and left on a bicycle
yelling at you and fell off the bike.
Wright: That was the day we broke up. I chased him out of the house
and he jumped on his bike and fell on his face in the middle of the street, not
even 10 feet from the driveway. I laughed my ass off. I giggled and screamed
"karma is a bitch, and it didn't even take that long this time" as he
got back on his bike and left.
Rugen: And you did not hear from him or see him
after that?
Wright: Like I told you before, he walked up the street about a week
later. People in the house let him in. I went to my room (upstairs at the time)
and locked myself in. Jersey ended up getting into a fight with my buddy from
down the street. Jersey was forced to leave, and I came out of my room. Jersey
had tried talking to me, but I could see that he was drunk and belligerent and
didn't want to deal with him. That's why I locked myself in.
Rugen: Then he tried to see you a few days after
Lisa disappeared, arriving in what he claimed was a stolen minivan driving it
in the yard, but your roommates at the time chased him away?
Wright: From what I was told, he pulled up into the yard, almost
hitting the porch, and no one recognized Jersey at first. Then a friend of mine
realized who it was, told a former roommate, and they came downstairs to let me
know that Jersey was there. I ran upstairs only to find out that he had been
chased away before I got there.
Rugen: Do you know if Jersey knows Dane or if they
have ever met?
Wright: To my knowledge, they never met while Jersey and I were
together, or at the house I was living at, or since then. But I don't know
everything about either of them.
Rugen: Did Jersey have a friendship with anybody
else who would have been at the house that night besides you?
Wright: Not that I was aware of. Jersey had just met the home owners
when he had come to visit me from the release center.
Rugen: Release center?
Wright: The halfway house on Mulberry street.
Rugen: What was he there for?
Wright: He was supposed to be there (not sure the charge) before he
met me. He left one day and ended up getting arrested for absconding, and was
taken back about three months into our relationship.
Rugen: And he met you when again?
Wright: I met Jersey toward the end of March. We started dating the
beginning of April.
Rugen: Okay. And did he live for a period of time in
the abandoned house that had the well behind it that authorities searched?
Wright: Not while we were together; possibly after we broke up.
Rugen: You have seen and heard so much these last
few weeks, any gut instinct or guess as to what you think could have happened
that night?
Wright: I'm still trying not to speculate. I want to stick to just
facts. I have my ideas, but I'm keeping them to myself.
Rugen: Do those ideas involve Jersey? Any gut feeling that Dane may have just been
the unlucky guy using your phone that night when someone tried to call your
number
?
Wright: I'd rather not hint at my speculations. I won't even tell the
guy I’m seeing now!
Rugen: Has anybody from the Bradley/Irwin family,
Stanton, or Tacopina, visited with you about what you know?
Wright: If I had any information, believe me, I'd put it on blast.
I'm not in this for money. Just wanting to do anything and everything in my
power to help.
Nope. Short and Short. That's about it
.
Rugen: Cyndy Short, or a detective for them?
Wright: Cyndy Short and her sister Mary K.
Rugen: Is her sister Mary an attorney?
Wright: I spoke with Mary K many times, and she brought her sister,
Cyndy the last time I spoke with her in person.
Rugen: When was that?
Wright: I'm not sure. I'll check her business card. Be right back…
"Mary
K. Poirier. Mitigation Specialist. The McCallister Law Firm, P.C."
That was a
few days before moving out of the house.
Rugen: Are you sure about the date on that? Because
wasn't Cyndy Short no longer representing the family a few weeks before you
moved out? Didn’t you move out last
week?
Wright: Yes, they were still working, even though they were not on
the investigation any more.
Rugen: Did they say why?
Wright: It was the right thing to do.
Rugen: And remind me again when you moved out of
that house?
Wright: Just a second, I'll look up the date.
Sunday,
the 6th this month. That evening. I
stayed with a friend until Thursday, when I moved to Springfield.
Rugen: By the way, do you know if Jersey knows or
ever met James Brando?
Wright: Not that he ever mentioned.
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