For the past few days I've been following the case of Kelsey Smith, the Kansas teen whose abduction from a Target parking lot was captured by surveillance camera. The good thing about the video is that it left no doubt as to what happened. That meant there'd be no hesitation by the police and public to get involved. The bad thing about the video is that it left no doubt as to what happened. It would allow for a quick resolution to the case, but like that of Carlie Brucia, you knew it was going to be a bad one -- because you'd seen it a dozen times before on Wild Kingdom when the leopard would take down the gazelle.
It's nice it was Tim Miller and his Texas EquuSearch that found her. That someone who felt guilt-ridden that he hadn't searched hard enough when his own daughter Laura went missing could turn that into a mission of helping other families search for their loved ones is a wonderful thing. I imagine all the searches he does are in some part for her.
UPDATE:
They have a suspect in custody.
According to a late press conference, the suspect is Edwin R. Hall, 26, of Olathe, Kansas, and he is the man who's been shown in the video leaving the store. Not surprisingly, they've also located that truck seen in the video as well.
They found him as a result of a single tip out of hundreds, so good job whoever phoned that one in.
UPDATE II:
Being these are modern times, here's his Myspace.
(I made a screencap, available here.)
UPDATE III:
The video (with audio) of his arraignment is here. He seems a little down in the dumps.
Spread the word:
Do NOT let yourself be abducted under any circumstances.
Fall on the ground, scream your head off, and don't stop.
Even if an assailant has a gun or a knife, you are much better off getting shot or stabbed in a public place, where help is available.
Me and my sister had this conversation. I told her to never get in the car -- to make whatever's going to happen happen there. She said she'd get in the car to avoid getting a knife in the chest. But I don't think they want to knife you at the primary crime scene. They want you to get in the damn car so they can drive to a more comfortable place...so they can knife you in the chest there.
As always, I can't say what I'd do other than piss my pants and cry.
As I understand things, the murderer got into her car...that means, she did a good job at evading him, but he gained entry into her vehicle and then took her, obviously under force, to the staging area.
I agree that the very clear message to all females, especially children and teens and young adults, is to never, ever allow yourself to be transported. Never, ever get in the car, never comply with any request to go somewhere else. On your OWN, run away, draw as much attention to yourself as possible, scream, yell, do whatever it takes to make as many public persons look your way as possible.
But the number one response is never.ever.allow.yourself.to.be.transported by anyone you don't know, or, if you know, pay very close heed to your instincts. If they say to be careful and take caution, do that. Never ignore your instincts.
In this case, though, from what I heard tonight on the news, this girl's car was returned to the parking lot without her, and the guy who did that then entered that suspicious truck (his vehicle, left parked in the lot) and then left.
That means, he was in HER car. Gained entry somehow.
Posted by: -S- at June 7, 2007 12:09 AMWe're on vacation, Donnah.. and we have been following it too.. RIP, Kelsey.. May your assailant be repeatedly raped in prison, and may he remember his special time with you during each rape.
About the 'never allow yourself' etc.
My wife and the girls have recieved puhlenty of 'instruction ' regarding strangers, and I have to tell you.. About three houses down from us is a guy that my Mom has known..and I have known for over thirty years. Actually he is a an old cracker type, about ten years older than me. He hangs out with Les Dudek and that bunch..anyway..and he still has long ass hair, and ..well he looks like Willie Nelson..
He walks the lake and he stopped the other day and says " Hey, I just want to apologize to your wife.." and he tells me how he tried to start a conversation at the store, and he didn't think she heard him, so he was walking toward her..and he said she started screaming " Get AWAY !.GO AWAY !"
It was soooo funny listening to him apologize..
"Man, dude..your wife started screaming at me across the parking lot.."GET BACK NOW !!! GO AWAY!!" he said he tried to calm her down and she got LOUDER !! I felt so bad for him..and then I had to explain to my Mom..I still think it's funny.
Actually, they (my daughters and her) get 'approached' a lot..it is quite a relatively frequent thing. The girls are young, and stupid..(you know what I mean) but guys really like them ..:(...I've had whole troupes of hardtails screeech their tires, etc.. They just can't help themselves.
I understand...but that doesn't make it ok.
The screaming bit works. It really does.
Posted by: csason at June 7, 2007 08:27 AMExpress ride to the chair, if it's still in use.
Perhaps they can make exceptions for especially henious crimes and bring back the rope over a branch in public as it seems this sort of thing is becoming more problematic.
Posted by: Gmac at June 8, 2007 12:03 PM