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Message Board Archive (March, 2003 - August, 2010)

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10/4/07 DoubleDash Message #3106
  It is a travesty and a tragedy how Josh's case was handled. But we are not giving up -- we are never giving up!! Sooner or later, the truth will out!! Justice will be served. Joshua, we will not give up on you!!!!!
   
9/25/07 AZcousin Message #3104
  "Still thinking about you Josh. There really is not a day that goes by we don't think about you and your family. 11/9 is coming soon and it is just really sad that nothing has ever been discovered. Your parents will never give up hope. We love you. ... "
   
9/15/07 DoubleDash Message #3103
  Aubs, thank you very much for the link. It shows that there are at least a couple people out there who actually know the facts about Josh's case and care enough to break it down for people. I'm amazed, though, at how complacent the community is -- a college student goes missing in their midst and all you hear is silence? Something is not right.
   
9/14/07 Aubs Message #3102
  Summary of circumstances surrounding Josh's disappearance, from St. Cloud Times online blog. To access, copy URL and paste into web browser. Link may become inactive after Sept. 20. http://65.36.138.212/publicus/chat/read/index.asp?ThreadID=109130037&AID=&PubDate=20070913&ForumType=Chat
   
8/29/07 Webmaster Message #3098
  Thanks for the heads up about the e-mail. Actually, the contact us page sends it's message to several family members. Only one of the e-mail addresses has changed and is causing the bounce message. I'm working on getting that corrected. In the mean time, rest assured, your message has been received by Joshua's family.
   
8/24/07 stephackwill Message #3097
  "hello, I have tried the 2 different contact us and all emails have come back as undeliverable. ... It also says ''This account has been disabled or discontinued [#102].'' ... "
   
8/16/07 josh dad Message #3096
  stephackwill, did not get anything, have to send again to contact us.
   
8/15/07 stephackwill Message #3095
  "hi Brian ... I tried to email you a while back in regards to 'Marti Tote'' out here in Reno, and the emails just recently came back. Just wondering if it was a fluke and if you really did get the contact info and all?"
   
8/11/07 DoubleDash Message #3094
  Okay Aubs, will do, and thank you.
   
8/10/07 Aubs Message #3093
  DoubleDash: I couldn't find a telephone number at cosmopolitan.com or in the masthead in the paper version, so I submitted a draft story this afternoon following the guidelines below on their FAQ page. You can help by submitting a note of support at the email address below, with Story Pitch on the subject line. // Instructions: "If you have a ... strong idea that you think would fit in Cosmo, you may send your pitch to youtellcosmo@hearst.com, with Story Pitch in the subject line. An editor will then get in touch if we're interested in your idea."
   
8/10/07 DoubleDash Message #3092
  Aubs, you might try calling directly to the editorial offices. Of course you'll get a secretary/assistant; but -- when they find out you are insisting on not only a correction but perhaps a brand new story covering Josh's case -- I would think they would be willing to listen...just a thought...
   
8/9/07 Aubs Message #3091
  Thanks. That's the address I have. I'm just wondering who reads the mail in Sandusky, and why, when the editor is probably sitting at head office in New York City.
   
8/9/07 josh dad Message #3090
  Aubs, here is the address I have,P.O. Box 1721, Sandusky, Ohio 44871-1721
   
8/8/07 Aubs Message #3089
  "Does anyone have the postal address for correspondence with the Editor of Cosmopolitan magazine in New York? I'm not talking about the ''Cosmopolitan Reader Mail'' address in Sandusky, Ohio. This is in regard to the following comment: ... Date / Time: 6/26/2007 6:39:34 PM ... Your Name: ... Josh dad ... Your Comments: ... I called the magazine,they said I could write a letter to the editor,or send an e-mail. ..."
   
8/7/07 DoubleDash Message #3088
  Mr. Guimond, the way this case has been handled is nothing short of pathetic. I agree with you 100% in everything you said. If it weren't for you pushing for action, I doubt any further investigation at all would have occure. This is why I brought up the term "collusion" earlier. Aubs, BMW, I am in no way a conspiracy theorist, but there is something about the manner in which Josh's disappearance was treated that has always deeply troubled me. And by the way, can anyone explain to me why, in spite of the country's top notch dive/search team clearing all the lakes on campus, the sheriff's dept. continues to espouse the theory of Josh being in a lake? If someone can make sense of this, I sure would appreciate your insight
   
8/7/07 josh dad Message #3087
  Given the facts,why did everyone investigating want everybody else to think Josh was in the water somewhere? Even after the lakes were cleared Josh was still in one somewhere going by what the sheriff was saying. I am sure it was not in St. Johns best interest to admit there was an abduction on their campus. I know for a fact St. Johns called the shots for us to get the Trident search team here, the sheriff stalled because St. Johns did not want them on campus until the students were gone, the next day they were able to start the search. Maybe most of you do not know,but the family had to go to two county commissioners meetings to get the sheriff to invite a specilist in to do their thing.Stalling because St. Johns did not want them there,we had to wait almost two months longer,to eliminate the lakes on campus.
   
7/31/07 DoubleDash Message #3086
  It's a daunting task to put the methods and procedures into place so that law enforcement agencies across the country can work in a consistent manner to search for missing persons and also identify UID's. I think it's completely unacceptable that greater funding and greater emphasis has not been put on finding the missing in our country as well as identifying unknown victims. We spend all this money on war, oil, space exploration -- but we're not even taking care of our own citizens!! How did it ever become acceptable that people go missing and we don't have the resources to properly investigate the ever growing number of cases? We can't even keep track of sex offenders as they continue to stalk and murder innocent victims. Our country needs to reevaluate its priorities. It is shameful to me that so many families must suffer and struggle to find their missing loved ones, largely on their own. We can put a man on the moon, but we can't figure out how to streamline the communication and cooperation between law enforcement agencies across the country. I know criminals know various ways to outsmart the police -- but if the police were properly trained, they would be taught how to think outside of the box, not make myopic assumptions when they find a deceased individual or when they are assigned to a missing person investigation. Every force should have at least one highly trained individual who knows how to look at the big picture and follow trails. This does require funding and it does require the proper training. But it's necessary!! Families of missing loved ones deserve all the assistance we can possibly give them to find out what happened. The fact that only certain cases receive attention speaks to lack of fairness in the administration of resources to these cases. I know various types of legislation are being promoted in different states. That's a start. The volume of cases is overwhelming, but each missing person deserves help. Only a small percentage just walk away to start a new life...
   
7/30/07 Aubs Message #3085
  From the link below: According to the FBI there are currently 108,000 active missing person cases in the U.S., and experts around the country say there are tens of thousands more not reported. For the past three years Bill Hagmaier, from the Homicide Association, has been leading an effort to connect the missing to the unidentified human remains. "The missing aren't missing," he said. "Most of them are deceased. This is not a fairy tale where these people are going to magically walk back through the front door. In most cases someone has gotten away with murder." // In 2004 Hagmaier's organization received a three year federal grant from the U.S. Justice Department to tackle the issue. … // Shockingly, just as the group was about to step forward with its initiative, the Justice Department cut funding in February 2007. … // Hagmaier said many serial killers, and murderers, dump bodies in a rural areas knowing that local authorities lack the expertise to solve the crime. A local coroner will pick up human bones and check to see if anyone is missing in the area. When no one is, the coroner will bury or burn the bones, and, Hagmaier said, "someone just got away with murder." // There are 17,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, and according to Hagmaier, half of them have ten officers or less, and 2000 of the agencies have just one officer. "Predators drop bodies in places they know people won't know what to do," Hagmaier said. "Do you think these officers will know what CODIS is?" … // "Senators and congressman need to push for more cold case funding. Very important."
   
7/30/07 DoubleDash Message #3084
  Excellent article for information purposes on missing persons: http://waterburyobserver.com/worxcms_published/homepage_418.shtml
   
7/29/07 DoubleDash Message #3083
  Because of the nature of this abduction, we knew it would be an especially complex and highly challenging investigation -- requiring certain areas of expertise that the average investigative agency just doesn't have. Are you with me? Second, I feel certain the abductor(s) read this board. That's why I like to remind them that they're going to be caught -- someday -- it will happen.
   
7/29/07 BMW Message #3082
  The point of a clandestine investigation is that no one outside of the investigation would know. Unfortunately, that means leaving the general public and the loved ones of the victim in the dark.
   
7/29/07 josh dad Message #3081
  And just what other agency are you thinking of? I was told no on friday. That is one thing there is no reason to lie about, is any other agency doing anything,no.
   
7/28/07 DoubleDash Message #3080
  BMW, I've always thought very highly of you and your wisdom. If you say you believe another agency is investigating, I have no reason to doubt you. And I just thank God for it.
   
7/28/07 BMW Message #3079
  We still do not know that no other agency is investigating. I still have confidence that another agency is conducting a clandestine investigation.
   
7/28/07 DoubleDash Message #3078
  There is no other agency investigating? I cannot understand that, because if Josh's case has been label "endangered missing," shouldn't that qualify for assistance from MBI/FBI? Has Stearns finally moved passed "probable accidental drowning" to -- inexplicably vanished/more than likely abducted? We can never assume anything -- most of all, we can never assume that the authorities are actively working on this case. As citizens we are going to have to fight for answers. It saddens me that this is how the "system" works -- but only if people care and *show* that they care, is anything ever going to be accomplished on this case (other than the incredible amount of work Mr. Guimond has been doing). Those of us here are also doing our part, and I know we have our own particular resources, but I think it is only right and fair that a parent of a missing child should expect every resource brought to bear until that child is found. Joshua's well being was entrusted to that college!!!!!!!
   
7/28/07 josh dad Message #3077
  There is no other agency investigating because Stearns County has no evidence of foul play,the detective I spoke with yesterday mentioned endangered missing because of the length of time Josh has been missing.
   
7/27/07 DoubleDash Message #3076
  I'm right behind you, BMW. I'm never giving up until we find out what happened to Josh. So, to the person who did this, in the likely event you are reading this board....guess what...you are on our radar. God bless you, Mr. Guimond, for being brave and strong for your son. It will be your courage and determination that help get the answers. Joshua, we will find the truth.
   
7/27/07 BMW Message #3075
  DoubleDash: Your cynicism and disdain are echoed in my own thoughts. I also understand the need for secrecy in investigations, but it irks me to no end when good, virtuous young people like Josh are forgotten by the public, yet CNN and Fox News are flooded with the latest juicy tidbits about which Hollywood starlet got picked up for a DUI and how a week in jail has changed the life of a millionaire heiress. Need for secrecy aside, it shames me to think we live in a society where one's worth as a human is measured in how many times one has graced the cover of People magazine. Mr. Guimond, I pray you get your answers. Know that we on this message board will never forget and will do whatever we can to solve this. I will be here as long as it takes to get answers.
   
7/27/07 DoubleDash Message #3074
  My apologies, Nick -- Mr. Guimond's letter was printed in the St. Cloud Times. You know, I could appreciate Stearns County being closed mouthed about Josh's case so as to not jeopardize the investigation -- with one noteworthy exception -- I think Mr. Guimond is entitled to every shred of information the sheriff and other authorities have collected. It is *his son* who is missing -- and it sure does seem like *he* has been the one doing the lion's share of the research. I hate the secrecy because it causes the public to feel the case is cold/closed. Time to rachet up the pressure and let every agency involved know that the public wants answers!!! The media can expend its vast resources on some dumb blond celebrity going to back to rehab again -- but it won't shine the spotlight on a brilliant young man who is an asset to this world --
   
7/27/07 Nick Message #3073
  I agree that Brian wrote an excellent letter. I saw it in the St. Cloud Times; was it in the Star Tribune as well? I'd be happy to write a letter or letters if called upon to do so. But as to your last point, I have my doubts that Stearns County will respond. They've taken public criticism before and done nothing. So far as I know, the only time the county talks about Josh's case is when directly asked about it by the media.
   
7/27/07 DoubleDash Message #3072
  Don't have time at the moment to comment on the other remarks just now -- just wanted to quickly say "bravo" to Mr. Guimond for the excellent letter he penned for the Star Tribune. Also, I was reading the comments people left -- largely well done -- I did notice there are a few seemingly "defensive" souls out there who clearly are not in tune with a number of facts in several areas. That's okay, there is one gentlemen who gets on that board and describes the facts of Josh's case so thoroughly, he could probably write a book about it. This is what we love to see -- publicity and attention paid to Josh's case!! I think we should write tons of letters and submit them for publication in early November. Maybe -- just maybe -- Mr. Guimond's letter will hit a few nerves and inspire people to get involved. I wouldn't be surprised to see a response from Stearn's Cnty.
   
7/27/07 BMW Message #3071
  Aubs: My point exactly. Sodium amytal was the only drug I could think of that would have anywhere near the effect we are talking about, and it does not even come close. I personally do not know of a drug that would do this.
   
7/26/07 Aubs Message #3070
  BMW: As you know, sodium amytal is a barbiturate -- a sleeping pill. I've personally seen it used with psychiatric patients to help uncover painful memories. During administration of the drug, the patient is in a drowsy, trancelike state -- no good if you need the person to be alert enough to serve as a courier. Also, it's a fast-acting drug that metabolizes rapidly. I can't imagine a courier being administered intravenous drugs at hourly intervals by a handler on an airplane. (It would make more sense to use the handler as your courier.) Are there any "mind control" drugs that do not put the subject to sleep and that do not need to be administered repetitively to have an effect. If you're going to send a person on an international trip, you need a drug that acts for at least 12-24 hours and doesn't make the person look like a zombie.
   
7/26/07 BMW Message #3069
  Sodium amytal has been toted as a form of truth serum as it increases suggestibility, but research has shown it to be ineffective at gaining long-term compliance. In addition, physical and psychological dependence, as well as tolerance, develop. Prolonged exposure to the drug can cause a plethora of serious physical side-effects, many of which can lead to death. As a long-term method of maintaining compliance, sodium amytal is an unlikely candidate.
   
7/26/07 Aubs Message #3068
  Other than CIA experiments with LSD, I'm not aware of any "mind control" drugs. If someone out there can provide me with the pharmacological or trade names of any drugs with the potential to cause unquestioning obedience, especially over extended periods of time, without the development of drug tolerance, I'd like to research this further.
   
7/26/07 josh dad Message #3067
  I did not say Josh was doing this on his own. There are plenty of mind control drugs that can be used to make a person do tnings they would not nomally do.
   
7/26/07 Aubs Message #3066
  Right on the mark, DoubleDash, either way you phrase it. To the person out there who was harassed or approached inappropriately around the time of Josh's disappearance in fall 2002, the time to speak out is now. BMW posted the contact information for relevant law enforcement agencies yesterday.
   
7/26/07 DoubleDash Message #3065
  Hmmm -- I'm not sure if I worded that correctly. What I meant to say, is, I feel certain there are people who come into contact with the perpetrator and have suspicions about him ...
   
7/25/07 DoubleDash Message #3064
  We're coming up on five years since Josh went missing. Like BTK did, Josh's abductor is hiding in plain sight. I hope and pray it does not take as long to arrest Josh's abductor as it did to finally detect BTK. How people could not notice BTK's strange behavior is beyond me. In the like kind, I don't believe there isn't someone out there who looks at Josh's abductor and is suspicious about him.
   
7/25/07 Aubs Message #3063
  I don't understand why Josh would be working as a mule. From what I've learned about his admirable personal qualities, that's something he would walk away from. // DoubleDash: Regarding your question about sex offenders in general, BMW has accurately outlined some typical patterns. I would add that Wichita's BTK kept himself satiated between incidents by immersing himself in his "mother lode." He also led an active life occupationally and assumed a leadership role in his church.
   
7/25/07 josh dad Message #3062
  Where in the facts we know did I miss the part about a sexual offender? What if he is being used as a courier for some kind of organization.
   
7/25/07 BMW Message #3061
  DoubleDash: Chances are that a sophisticated offender would have ensured that valuable evidence was disposed of or likely to be undiscovered. Based on that, I would say that I agree with your statement that valuable evidence was lost in the hours immediately following the act. It's nearly impossible to find evidence when there is not even an indication of where the crime took place. Given these circumstances, possible evidence may have been discarded by LE or search crews.
   
7/25/07 DoubleDash Message #3060
  BMW, thank you for this enlightening information; it is helpful in understanding the nature of the perpetrator with whom we are dealing. Agree or disagree with this statement: there is a very good possibility that valuable evidence may have been lost in the immediate hours following the disappearance of Joshua...asking for your "gut feeling" here...
   
7/25/07 BMW Message #3059
  DoubleDash: I agree with your references to the bystander effect. There is a likelihood that people might not want to get involved. It is also true that some may feel they could be victimized. However, the best way to avoid being victimized is to remove the threat from the streets. Regarding an offender's ability to cease his criminal behavior, research suggests that sexual offenders develop a sexual assault cycle. Offender's who do not offend continually based on impulse will often spend the time in between assaults searching for victims, grooming them, and planning for their next act. At the beginning of the cycle, the offender often engages in explicit fantasies about their victim pool. The offender will often then put himself in situations where he has easier access to his victim pool. The offender will then begin the stage of grooming and planning, before finally committing the assault. For someone who we both agree has committed more than one act and has never been caught, it is reasonable to assume that, after a cool-down period, they are likely restarting their sexual assault cycle. It is entirely possible that offender that we are seeking is capable of sustaining his urges for years at a time based on fantasies, planning, and anticipation for the next assault. Some people do just stop, but for most offenders it is an obsession that cannot be ignored.
   
7/25/07 DoubleDash Message #3058
  First, BMW and Aubs, thank you. I just penned a lengthy response but for some reason it did not post. I wanted to say that although we know it would be highly imprudent for any involved party in Josh's abduction to hassle/intimidate anyone who comes forward with information, I think young people who may have been harrassed may feel threatened. They don't understand that they are safe. All they know is that they don't want to wind up being another victim. Even doing things anonymously, they may still have a sense that somehow they'll be found out ... which we know is not true. So while their fears are most likely groundless, they don't understand that. Unfortunately, there does also exist the "I don't want to get involved" element -- like when someone sees a mugging and doesn't step in to help; or when screaming is heard but no one investigates. This is not uncommon. It would give me great joy to know that another law enforcement agency has been working on this case. The day Joshua went missing, I knew it would take top notch investigators to get to the bottom of it, but I never knew it would take this long. Here is my question -- knowing that sexual predators cannot contain their urges, how is this perpetrator feeding his desires since Josh's abduction? Is it truly possible for him to stop his criminal behavior? I think we all agree this was not his first abduction. The fact that it is taking law enforcement this long to get to the truth of things speaks to his experience and well versed ability to stave off suspicion ... or has he?
   
7/25/07 BMW Message #3057
  Excellent point Aubs. As far as tip line contact information goes, the BCA can be reached at 651-793-7000. The FBI has a public tip form at https://tips.fbi.gov, or the MPLS office can be reached by phone at 612-376-3200.
   
7/25/07 Aubs Message #3056
  Assuming there's no collusion -- the most probable scenario -- perhaps LE has no need for further witnesses to come forward. Maybe they already have everything they need and are now focused on building a circumstantial case by conducting a linkage analysis with other missing person cases in Minnesota or elsewhere. That said, if anyone has any information, no matter how trivial it might seem, please call it in to the Stearns County Sheriff's Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, or the FBI. BMW or DoubleDash: Can you post tipline numbers for those LE agencies?
   
7/25/07 BMW Message #3055
  DoubleDash: My guess is that since this is not a closed investigation, there is still hope that another agency is involved. Though surely competent in standard investigation, Stearns County is likely aware of their own limitations when it comes to a case like this. Though we will likely never know who is working on the case until something big happens, I would like to think that the case is in good hands and that Stearns County is merely downplaying it to redirect interest and to allow any potential suspects room to make mistakes. However, it does have the dangerous side effect of leading the general population to believe that this is just another college drowning due to alcohol. I understand your beliefs about fear keeping people from coming forward. However, I would ask you what these people should fear specifically? Do you feel it is a general fear of getting involved, or do you believe that people have a fear of a specific entity? If the latter is the case, then how do the potential witnesses know to fear them? As I have previously mentioned, I do not advocate keeping law enforcement out of the loop, but I would understand it if one of these potential witnesses decided to use more than one channel to tell their story. For instance, one might contact both Stearns County and use the "Contact Us" link on this website. Furthermore, if they felt uneasy about contacting Stearns County, they could go higher up than the Sheriff's office. The FBI and MN BCA both maintain tip lines that would ensure that the information gets where it needs to be. As far as whether or not I believe witnesses should fear retribution, I would say no. The mere act of providing a tip to LE can be done anonymously. I think we can all agree that we are not dealing with the Italian Mafia. Witnesses are not going to get "whacked" if they talk. This is not someone who is going to go in for charges of tax evasion. This is a much more serious charge, and the amount of protection and support for such an individual, by both LE and the public, including the option of remaining anonymous, would undoubtedly keep them safe. If someone is reading this who feels that there is an entity who is suppressing you from providing valuable information regarding this case, you need to come forward and report that entity, as well as provide LE with the information they need. If you honestly feel local forces have been compromised, go to a larger organization that will not be strong-armed. I have read the transcript to the interview that you speak of. I personally do not believe that there is any collusion in play between LE and the layers you speak of. I think there are likely too many people involved for something like that to be occurring. That is not to say that collusion would be impossible. I have confidence that though LE may be seemingly inept at handling this investigation, they at least would not allow the perpetrator of such a heinous act to go unpunished. It is inevitable that members of local LE would have children around the same age as Josh in the same geographic location. Would it not be prudent for them to ensure that such a perpetrator was no longer operating, if only to protect their own? I understand your point when you say that we people like us will be the ones to solve this case, but remind you that just as neither you nor I know the extent of armchair detectives pondering this case from their home PCs, neither do we know the extent of real detectives operating behind the scenes to solve this case. Though it is true that one of us might provide the breakthrough that leads to an arrest in this case, our role is to keep people talking and to never give up. The day that people forget Josh's name is the day that we can give up on finding him.
   
7/24/07 DoubleDash Message #3054
  BMW, thank you. I have often wondered if it is too much to hope that another investigative unit has involved itself in Joshua's case. Your point is well taken -- certain agencies would be tough to impossible to push around. It is unfortunate that Stearns investigators have come across as being marginally motivated to dig deep into this case for resolution. We know it is a complicated case. We know it would take top notch detective work to get to the bottom of it. What I did not count on was the unwillingness of others to get involved. I ascribe this unwillingness to a fear factor. Further, if there is a sense that Stearns isn't going to pass the info along to anyone, potential witnesses may feel less inclined to communicate with them. BMW did you ever listen to that "Closer Look" radio interview that discussed Joshua's abduction? It referenced some of the "layers"...and was where I got the idea (incorrectly I hope) that there was some sort of collusion going on...which further led me to conclude that the only people who will get this case solved are right here on this board, starting with Mr. Guimond. I can't help but have the sense someone reading this board has information but just can't bring themselves to come forward. I think witnesses may fear some sort of retribution -- and would be they be wrong to fear that, in your opinion BMW? Thank you for not abandoning Joshua's case.
   
7/24/07 BMW Message #3053
  DoubleDash: I understand your meaning. Though the implications are interesting, I believe we are referring to two different types of layers. My point is that we do not know which other law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation. Though the Stearns County Sheriff might seem to be passive in their investigation, we do not know if there is an investigation being conducted by a more clandestine organization. Oftentimes local departments funnel information to a higher law enforcement agency, who then conducts their own investigation. Such is often done to involve more skilled agents as well as to avoid tipping off any potential suspects. If these agencies are involved, it would be unlikely that the layers that you refer to would be able to push them around or strong-arm them.
   

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