I don't know how many of you guys have seen this segment, but it's probably from the late eighties. Tracy Kirkpatrick was a teenager that was murdered while working at a lady's sportswear store by herself, this happened in Frederick Maryland. A few months after her murder, some guy called into a confession hotline, admitting to her murder, saying how he would sometimes visit Tracy while she was working and the night he murdered her, they had gotten into an argument. The guy said his name was "Shawn". The police got a copy of the confession tape and tried to figure out who it could be. A psychic from Massachusetts called the police saying that she had been getting calls from a guy that sounded exactly like the guy on the confession tape.

As far as I know this case has not been solved. Does anyone have any updates? Tracy wrote poems and one of her poems was inscribed onto her tombstone, which is very chilling to read.

Where was she buried?

Buried? I don't exactly know, probably somewhere in Frederick Maryland. Do you live in that area and would like to visit her grave? I really do hope that her murder gets solved.

I've talked about this case a couple times. Sadly, there STILL has been no update. I have it on tape, also.

Tracey is buried in Oak Grove Cemetary near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

This is one of those cases where the timing was terrible. Tracey was killed just before closing time, which according to the segment was around 9:00 p.m. The store looked like it was a strip mall with many other stores and businesses connected and accross the street. Yet, nobody saw the killer leave the store. Maybe there was a door in the back store room and he could have left without detection easier.

Here are some quotes for anyone interested -

This is the actual tape recorded message that Tracey's killer "Don" left for the crime hotline...............

"Hello. My name is Don and I'm calling from Frederick, Maryland. I know this is going to sound surprising at first, but, 5 months ago, I stabbed a girl to death. And I'll bet you think by making this call that I'm setting myself up to get caught... but there are alot of guys named Don in Frederick. The girl I killed was working in a ladies sportswear store. I often came by and visited her when she was working alone. And one night when we were in the store room, our conversation turned into an argument. So I took out a knife, that I keep with me at all times, and I killed her. And a few days later, I realized that I had created alot of sadness and I thought about turning myself in. But no matter what they do to me, that won't bring Tracey back. So I thought I...better...keep free because they have the death penalty in Maryland. I'm sorry for what I did, but nothing can change it. Bye."


And the following is the poem that was inscribed on Tracey's tombstone. It was a poem that was written by Christina Rossetti and Tracey read it to her family members just a couple months before she was killed............

"Remember me when I am gone away. Gone far away to the silent land. Where you can no more hold me by the hand. Yet if you should forget me for awhile and afterwards remember, do not grieve. For if the darkness and corruption leave
a vestige of thoughts that I once had, better by far you should forget and smile than you should remember and be sad."

That is such a beautiful poem, too bad it ended up on her tombstone. She seemed like such a talented young lady with a bright future ahead of her and some lunatic had to take that all away.

I remember years ago my mother bought some cheesy paperback novel that used the "Remember" poem in an edited format (as used as a voice-over on UM) as a foreward and credited it to "Tracey Kirkpatrick". Even UM says that the poem enscribed on Tracey's tombstone is one of her own. Yet as dynoguy88 points out, Tracey's poem is actually one written in the 1800's by Christina Rossetti:
http://www.themediadrome.com/content/poetry/c.rossetti_remember.htm
I'm crushed because I always assumed Tracey wrote this poem. I don't doubt that she was herself a talented poet, but does anyone have an explaination as to why there was this confusion?

This story aired on Monday(maybe Tuesday). It defintely aired this week.

No update. :(

Originally posted by mortytbusybody
I'm crushed because I always assumed Tracey wrote this poem. I don't doubt that she was herself a talented poet, but does anyone have an explaination as to why there was this confusion?

I don't see where the confusion comes from. The Unsolved Mysteries segment of this case (I have it on tape) said at the beginning that Tracey always loved READING poetry as well as writing it. Robert Stack also said that the poem was written by Christina Rossetti and that Tracey recited it for her family members a few months before she was murdered. Her family remembered her reading the poem and must of thought it would be perfect to go on her tombstone. The UM segment never said that she wrote it.

You must have got confused. The poem in the book your mom got for you was probably dedicated to Tracey. She never wrote it.

Sorry dynoguy, you must have the Lifetime version of the story or a repeat recorded because I just rewatched the case from the original NBC (January 30, 1991) broadcast and Robert Stack says:

"Tracey Kirkpatrick was an introspective pretty teenager from a small town near Fredrick, Maryland. The 3rd of 4 children, Tracey was an honor student who had a passion for writing poetry. In early 1989, Tracey surprised her family when she wrote a haunting poem asking them not to grieve for her when she was gone..."

I would guess that after Tracey's death her family must have remembered the poem that Tracey read them (she probably had it scribbled in a journal) and assumed that Tracey had written it herself. Maybe after it was published in the book someone exposed the truth. So I stand by my original statement: I'm crushed to discover that Tracey didn't write the poem. Judging from other messages on this board I realize some other people must have also seen the original broadcast and also thought the poem was Tracey's...

Hmm. Interesting that you have the original broadcast taped. When I first saw it (back in the day) I thought she had written the poem as well but when I taped it on lifetime a couple years ago and found out that she didn't write it, I assumed I just heard it wrong the first time. The lifetime segment says -

"Tracey Kirkpatrick was an introspective pretty teenager from a small town near Fredrick, Maryland. The 3rd of 4 children, Tracey was an honor student who loved reading and writing poetry. In early 1989, Tracey read a haunting poem to her family written by Christina Rossetti. Tracey seemed to be asking them not to grieve for her when she was gone..."

The family must have assumed she wrote it. And once UM learned of the truth, they had to go back and change it. Whatever the case, thanks for pointing that out. It's still pretty freaky of the timing of her reading that poem just a few months before she was murdered.

This case is still pretty depressing knowing that the killer has not been caught. I've tried searching for links about the case and anything else about how Frederick City has been since then but have had very little luck. Just a couple short sentences -

http://www.cityoffrederick.com/departments/Police/Homicides.htm

http://news.onemissingperson.org/MD-OCT-02-2003-Case-files-open.html

Hey, thanks for the info dynoguy. I've always been especially haunted by Tracey's death, and I agree, the timing of her reading the poem to her family was too freaky. I only wish they could find out more on this "Don" guy...it's just too weird that 3 different people (and the psychic) pointed to the same man as sounding like "Don".
Maybe "Cold Case" should reinvestigate this crime? With all the advancements in forensic science you would think they could find SOMETHING new. The added publicity might play on someone's conscious and cause them to finally turn themselves in.

Just wondering....I read what "Don" said and it just seems so fake, I guess. He dosent seem to be relating any significant details, and what he says sounds like someone stating a theory. I havent actually heard him talk so just curious as to how his voice sounded,,,sincere, scared, full of b.s.???

Originally posted by CrushedVelvet
Just wondering....I read what "Don" said and it just seems so fake, I guess. He dosent seem to be relating any significant details, and what he says sounds like someone stating a theory. I havent actually heard him talk so just curious as to how his voice sounded,,,sincere, scared, full of b.s.???

To me, I thought he sounded sincere. Maybe I'm naive, I don't know. But who else would have the nerve to call a criminal hotline and confess something like that? The call was traced to a small town outside Frederick, which is where Tracey was murdered. It looks as though the whole town was pretty much in mourning, so I think the chances of some idiot (calling from there) pretending to be the killer seems pretty extreme. But I could be wrong.

He didn't sound scared to me just that he was sorry for what he did. I got the impression that while he probably felt bad, in time, he will have gotten over it. He didn't sound as though he was full of as much guilt as he should have had.

Side note - I'm not sure whether or not UM played the entire tape of the confession during the segment. There was a time at the end where it sounded like it was edited with some long pauses (I....better....keep....free) I'm guessing they only played part of it so that the viewers could hear "Don's" voice and hopefully recognize it.

Freedom, Penna

I work with a man who is a former (retired) Maryland State Policeman. he was based in Frederick, MD and arrived there very shortly after this incident took place. I asked him if this case has ever been solved. At first he didn;t seem familiar with the case but a ssoon as I began to describe it, he remembered immediately. He said that becasue of the location of the murder scene, the Frederick police should have immediately contacted the MD state police to help with the investigation. By no doing so, they blew a chance to solve this case quickly. He said that this should have been solved within 24 hours but members of the Frederick police have a reputation for acting like they are the be-all end-all for law enforcement and mishandle investigations quite frequently because of this (ego refuses to allow them to seek help when needed or admit when they are wrong and explore other avenues).

Isn't this the one where they had a pretty good lead and tracked the guy down to a house, but "his name wasn't Shawn or Don" so they decided not to pursue the lead? Surely that's not all the convincing they needed that this wasn't the guy. Also I thought I remembered reading on here how there was a lot of signs pointing to the night security guy in the mall maybe having something to do with it...I'll go back and search now, like I should have done before posting this. heh ...

Yes, but there had to have been more to the fact that they didn't arrest the guy b/c his name wasn't sean or don. It's quite easy that the man could have been using an assumed name, I mean he did make it clear that he did not want to get caught or turn himself in. Oh well...I don't know much about Frederick PD...but I could easily take a trip to the scene just to see how easy it would have been for the guy to escape undetected.

So this was never solved, and the suspect not even identified due to lack of evidence?

Basically.

According to the segment, the police couldn't pursue the suspect any further because of lack of evidence in his apartment that tied him to Tracy.

Am I alone in feeling that this case and the "Shawn/Don" lead have not been pursued properly?

I mean, they got the guy's voice AND confession recorded on tape, for heaven's sake. They could have compared the suspect's voice configuration with the voice on the tape to confirm it was his, then confront him with the tape analysis. Any teenager would have cracked under that sort of pressure.

And I thought the fifth amendment worked only in front of a court of justice in a sworn testimony, not in a police interrogation? After all, it was his right to be assisted by a lawyer.

Do some digging on the boards. You'll find some drama about a forum regular (although I have not seem him much lately) who was privately corresponding with someone who believed Tracy's killer was her father. :eek:

I remember this case. I'm sorry that it hasn't been solved.

One thing that was brought up was that Tracy wrote a poem asking her family not to grieve with her. There were one or two other cases like that where teenage girls would tell their parents they didn't expect to die young. I don't know about you but I would be very, very worried if my kid ever told me something like this.

There were one or two other cases like that where teenage girls would tell their parents they didn't expect to die young. I don't know about you but I would be very, very worried if my kid ever told me something like this.


You are probably referring to the Kathy Hobbs case whichtook place in Las Vegas, i think.

That was the one where the daughter believed she would die before her 16th or 18th birthday.

That case was also mysterious and had an eerie feel to it.

I use dto work with a guy that was a former Maryland State Policeman working out of Frederick County. I asked him about this case one day (At first, he said the name sounded familiar but didn't remember the case. As soon as I started giving him details, he remembered immediately). He said that the Frederick Police should have immediately called the MD State Police for assistance (due to the location of the crime, near a major highway). He said if that had happened, the case propbably could have been solved (through a cooperative effort) with 24 hours. However, the Frederick police have a reputation (according to him) for being above other law enforcement attitude-wise. They would refuse to admit they needed any assistance on any case. furthermore, my buddy stated many of the members of the Frederick police (at that time) were just lazy (he gave a story of a shooting call to which both state police and frederick police responded. The guy was in his home, with his head half-blown off with a shotgun and the blood was already starting to gel. The Frederick officer asked the wife what happened. She simply responded "He shot himself about 10 minutes ago". He asked her no other questions and began to write down the info. It later turns out that the husband and wife had an argument. She shot him --with help from her sister--and then waited 30 mins. prior to calling any police, presumably to cover up the crime. The lady and sister were both later convicted but it shows how [poorly the fred. officer handled the case.).

Sadly, it seems that the Tracy Kirkpatrick case should have been solved long ago.

Can't believe this wasn't solved, when I was looking at the case I was was certain that someone would have been convicted. But no success with this case :(

How can Sean/Don be cleared of this case? he confessed!

Well just because he confessed does not mean he necessarily did it. That tends to be a common misconception. To be honest, I am not sure Sean/Don did it. While he did 'confess' it was rather general without any real specific details other than what could have been found in a newspaper. I do think whoever killed Tracy Kirkpatrick did know her personally as the killing was a very personal type killing. However when you cannot find any evidence the guy (Sean/Don) even knew her or had even met her, that is a problem.

Well just because he confessed does not mean he necessarily did it. That tends to be a common misconception. To be honest, I am not sure Sean/Don did it. While he did 'confess' it was rather general without any real specific details other than what could have been found in a newspaper. I do think whoever killed Tracy Kirkpatrick did know her personally as the killing was a very personal type killing. However when you cannot find any evidence the guy (Sean/Don) even knew her or had even met her, that is a problem.

True, but keep in mind that "Don" did confess or attempt to confess multiple times. He want as far to correspond with a pyschic even.

It wasn;t like it was a one shot deal.

True, but keep in mind that "Don" did confess or attempt to confess multiple times. He want as far to correspond with a pyschic even.

It wasn;t like it was a one shot deal.
Police often get multiple false confessions from people on cases where there was media attention. I think there were something like 50 different people who confessed to the Yogurt Shop murders in Austin, some of them multiple times.

Where was she buried?
She is buried in Freedom, Pa.

I just emailed martha woodworth, the psychic from the case and asked a few questions. Anyways, I gave her the link to this message board so hopefully she can post in this topic and shed some light.

http://www.ConfidentialPsychic.com

Hi. I was the psychic/astrologer who worked on this case. "Sean" called me and asked if I would do readings for him to help him find the person who murdered his "friend," as he referred to Tracy. I asked him to send me newspaper clippings of the case. When I got them, I sensed immediately that he was very likely the killer. All of his A's and O's had a line slashed through them, for one thing. There were other indications as well, from the point of view of a handwriting analyst (another of my skills). I felt I should call the police. When I did, they told me to keep Sean coming to me for more counseling, which I did. He never confessed to me, but when the police entered his home (the address was on the envelope he sent) they found information about me and my services (which I had sent him) as well as information to a confession hotline. It turned out that he had, indeed, confessed to the murder on the public hotline. They took him in for questioning, but he was released because (they told me) they had no evidence linking him to the crime. They also said they didn't think he really did it because he "didn't look like a killer." In fact, they had no evidence whatsoever: no fibers, no finger-prints, nothing. This led them to believe (they told me) that the killer might have been wearing nylon clothing and gloves. This, they felt, might have been because the killer rode a bike - cyclists tend to wear those materials. A few months later, I wrote to "Unsolved Mysteries" with a proposal, and they "bought" the story idea, flew me to Maryland, and we filmed the segment. I met Tracy's very nice, sad, grieving parents. It was definitely not her father. He was cleared early on - he had no motive and had a definite alibi. I believe he took a lie detector test, also, and passed. Later, I found out that the case was considered to have been bungled by the administration who originally handled the case. The new police crew looked into the possibility that the killer was the son of one of their own, a local cop's kid. He was a major suspect, actually, but the public did not know this - at least, they didn't publicize this on UM. I have always been fascinated by this case, though I have investigated, and been deeply involved in, many more, with local police departments and the FBI. I don't know why they can't seem to solve it. Something's definitely strange about that. I've called several times, but one thing that happens with psychics that work on cases: they use you and throw you away. They want the info you can provide, then they don't want to hear from you. They don't want a psychic getting the "glory" - the few that are seen on these shows are tokens. Most of us do the work and get no thanks. No problem for me - I'm a writer and I wrote a novel based on this murder, about a psychic detective. I mined the gold from it that way, and continue to get ideas from other cases. (It's not published yet; for some reason, I just haven't been able to let go of it...maybe because it's not solved. Not sure.) Any other "tips" on this case would be welcome. You can always write to me: martha@ConfidentialPsychic.com, or look at my web site: www.ConfidentialPsychic.com. I continue to help private parties and law enforcement find missing people and solve crimes. My participation in this case, however, launched my career as a psychic detective, and now I use a variety of psychic skills in murder investigations, like dowsing for weapons and using forensic astrology to discover motives - and suspects. Mostly, I'm a psychic and astrologer who helps people with career and relationships.

Thank you for posting, Ms. Woodworth. Your insight is extremely interesting, and I too believe "Sean" is most likely the killer. There have been a few posts on this thread and others either from the Frederick area or close to people there that seem to indicate the whole thing was a botched investigation, which is quite plausible, given the evidence (however circumstantial) against "Sean."

I can't believe he was released because he "didn't look like a killer." :eek: I was also unaware there was another suspect in the case!

I admire your gall. I remember in the segment you mentioned the disturbed handwriting in his letters; that would've made me incredibly nervous!

Tracey Kirkpatrick was my Cousin her mother (Diane) was my second cousin (Caroline's) older sister, If anyone has any information on the case the family would be glad to have it please contact me at thatinfamous1@yahoo.com

The town where Tracy is buried is in correct, she is buried in Industry, Pa. I know this because I'am a relative.

Thank you Martha, very good of you to bring this case to Unsolved Mysteries.

Here's an article from today actually:

Click here to find out more!

Text size: increase text sizedecrease text size
After 20 years, Frederick girl's murder still unsolved
'It was yesterday for me,' victim's mother says

By Frank D. Roylance
March 16, 2009

Tracey Lynn Kirkpatrick would be 37 today, a wife and mother, perhaps, and maybe an attorney.

Instead, she is mourned by her parents, her family and friends. Twenty years after her murder, she is also never far from the minds of the Frederick police investigators, who have worked since March 15, 1989, to solve the mystery of her violent death.

The Kirkpatrick family and Frederick police marked the anniversary of Tracey's killing with a brief vigil last night at the Westridge Shopping Center, where she was stabbed to death at 17.

Police hope that fresh attention to the cold case might finally bring them the final clues they need to bring the killer to justice.

Tracey's two sisters and a brother remain in the area, as do her parents, William and Diane Kirkpatrick.

"Everybody says, 'It's been 20 years. Don't expect too much, because it's been 20 years,'" Diane Kirkpatrick told The Frederick News-Post. "I look at them and say, 'Not for me.' It was yesterday for me."

She can't comprehend how the killer could live with such a secret for 20 years. "How can someone just go on with their lives like it's nothing?" she asked.

Frederick police say their continuing work on the case can be understood in the context of a smaller city which, even today, sees annual homicide counts in the single digits.

"You have to go back 20 years," said Lt. Shawn Martyak, 49, the commander of the department's criminal investigation division and a Frederick policeman for 24 years.

"Frederick probably had half the population, maybe 30,000," he said. "And while we got a murder now and then, this was a 17-year-old girl who was, according to friends and family, very squared away, very conservative. She made good decisions about her life and was planning for college.

"This shocked the entire community. It's not something anybody expected to occur in sleepy little Frederick," he said.

With retirements and reassignments, four Frederick detectives have worked on the case over the years.

"Every detective that has been assigned, from the very beginning, has taken the case personally," Martyak said. And each one has consulted with his predecessors, reviewing the case file annually, discussing new developments and considering new ideas.

The case was featured in 1990 on the TV programs A Current Affair and Unsolved Mysteries, and Frederick merchants put up most of a $5,000 reward, without success.

According to news accounts at the time, Tracey, from Point of Rocks, was an honor student at Brunswick High School. She wrote and published poetry and hoped to study accounting and go to law school. She had two part-time jobs and drove a 10-year-old Pontiac Grand Prix she paid for herself.

On the night she died, she was working alone at the Aileen Ladies Sportswear store in the Westridge Square Shopping Center, on U.S. 40 west of downtown Frederick.

Most of the plaza's stores closed at 9 p.m. When a security guard saw the lights at Aileen's were still on at 10:50 p.m., he went inside. He found Tracey's body in a rear storeroom. Police said she had been stabbed several times in the back and chest. There was no evidence of a sexual assault. The door had not been forced open, and $60 remained in the cash register. Tracey's purse was missing.

A man waiting in the front parking lot for his wife or girlfriend told police he saw nothing unusual. But investigators found blood drops in a rear hallway leading to the loading dock and trash bins. No weapon was ever recovered.

Two suspects developed over the years remain "viable," Martyak said. But while "it's plausible either one of them could be the killer, in both instances it falls short of having the last piece of the puzzle that's missing to corroborate that [either one] actually committed the crime."

In 1989, DNA technology was comparatively crude, and "very cost prohibitive," Martyak said. It was not until 1998 that a sample was submitted for testing. It was insufficient to develop a genetic profile of the killer, as was a second sample submitted in 2003.

But technology has advanced to where analysts can extract a DNA profile from no more material than is left by a touch. So Frederick police several weeks ago submitted "touch samples" from the case to a private contractor for the Maryland State Police. "We think this may be our best shot to get some other type of DNA, other than hers, from the crime scene," Martyak said. Test results are not expected for several months.

Police already have DNA samples from both of the suspects. Detectives check on them periodically.

In the meantime, investigators have presented the Kirkpatrick case file to two "cold case review panels," one national and another for the Mid-Atlantic region.

A relatively new concept and a first for Frederick, Martyak said, these independent panels of police investigators, evidence analysts, crime scene and forensic experts comb case files and suggest new leads or new technologies the local police might not have considered. "We expect this case to be reviewed by both panels sometime this year," he said.

Martyak said police continue to receive information about the case. "It's never too late," he said. "Even if they think the information they have doesn't help, call us anyhow and let us decide.

"If we can keep it fresh in people's minds, maybe - just maybe - we can get that one piece of information we need to bring closure to the case ... for the family," Martyak said.

Anyone with information about Tracey Kirkpatrick's murder is asked to call Frederick Police Detective Jerry Morales at 301-600-1226.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.kirkpatrick16mar16,0,6722842.story

It's interesting how right about now, a lot of these cases are crossing the 20 year mark and were seeing new articles about them popping up here and there.

Great work everyone for finding them.

This is one of the UM segments that really gets to me.

It seems like from what I've read that aspects were bungled in several areas, and the killer was able to slip away. No doubt the killer was a local.

What does surprise me, is if we are to believe the caller, Tracy had met this person and was comfortable enough to be alone with them at the store, why hadn't she mentioned this person, even in passing, to anyone else?

It's interesting how right about now, a lot of these cases are crossing the 20 year mark and were seeing new articles about them popping up here and there.

Great work everyone for finding them.

This is one of the UM segments that really gets to me.

It seems like from what I've read that aspects were bungled in several areas, and the killer was able to slip away. No doubt the killer was a local.

What does surprise me, is if we are to believe the caller, Tracy had met this person and was comfortable enough to be alone with them at the store, why hadn't she mentioned this person, even in passing, to anyone else?

She may have mentioned the person or talked about the person, we don't know though, as it is still unsolved. Maybe once the person finally gets caught/convicted, people may remember her speaking about that person. Hopefully it will be solved very soon.

One case I would like to see solved although I believe Sean/Don is the killer and has gotten away with murder all these years.

One case I would like to see solved although I believe Sean/Don is the killer and has gotten away with murder all these years.

I don't think he did it. I do think he knows exactly who did it, and might have been there when it happened or right after it. He may have given the killer a ride away from the store.

One thing that puzzles me about this case is that the police seemed to believe very much that Tracy knew her killer.

Does this Don/Sean have any personal connection to Tracy at all?

You know, I tend not to believe Sean/Don did it either. The information he provided was very general and easily could have been obtained just by reading the newspaper. I think it was just an example of a kid that was obsessed with a case and injected himself into the case for the sake of excitement. The only thing I find really troubling about Sean/Don is why he would not answer any questions if he had nothing to hide? It is obvious from the way Tracy Kirkpatrick was killed that it was a personal killing. However there is no evidence Sean/Don knew Tracy Kirkpatrick personally. I have always felt that the security guard who 'found' Tracy Kirkpatrick was the one that killed her.

You know, I tend not to believe Sean/Don did it either. The information he provided was very general and easily could have been obtained just by reading the newspaper. I think it was just an example of a kid that was obsessed with a case and injected himself into the case for the sake of excitement. The only thing I find really troubling about Sean/Don is why he would not answer any questions if he had nothing to hide? It is obvious from the way Tracy Kirkpatrick was killed that it was a personal killing. However there is no evidence Sean/Don knew Tracy Kirkpatrick personally. I have always felt that the security guard who 'found' Tracy Kirkpatrick was the one that killed her.

What would the security guard's motive have been?

the fact he said he refused to answer any questions is just strange. Why shut up shop if you have nothing to hide?

The only thing I find really troubling about Sean/Don is why he would not answer any questions if he had nothing to hide?

Sean/Don may refuse to answer questions because he actually enjoys being a suspect in the murder. He may now that if he answers questions that the police would know that he was innocent, hence robbing him of his fun.


What would the security guard's motive have been?

The same motive as any redblooded male has when faced with an attractive young lady.

The same motive as any redblooded male has when faced with an attractive young lady.

It is within the realm of possibility that she spurned his advances and he killed her. However, without more, I don't think that's enough for someone to narrow in on this guy and say "I think he did it".

have there been any recent developments in this case? i remember having seen it on unsolved mysteries a while ago, i can't believe it's been so long. did they analyze the fingerprints and stuff and catch the guy who did it? they said it would take a few months but it's been like a year since that article was posted and no one has posted anything

have there been any recent developments in this case? i remember having seen it on unsolved mysteries a while ago, i can't believe it's been so long. did they analyze the fingerprints and stuff and catch the guy who did it? they said it would take a few months but it's been like a year since that article was posted and no one has posted anything

Go back and read the first 3 pages of this thread. There have been new developments but none have been confirmed by police. One person claims to have known the killer and wrote to one of the posters on this board and gave a name.

Go back and read the first 3 pages of this thread. There have been new developments but none have been confirmed by police. One person claims to have known the killer and wrote to one of the posters on this board and gave a name.
The father of the security guard in question died yesterday and in an article praising the man and his service to the community in an online newspaper, someone commented that they wondered if his son would come clean now

The father of the security guard in question died yesterday and in an article praising the man and his service to the community in an online newspaper, someone commented that they wondered if his son would come clean now

If he did do it I hope he comes clean and confesses.
Tracy's family deserves justice.

Found a recent article about her case. Its good to know there's still hope it can be solved:

http://www.wfmd.com/pages/localnews2.html?feed=119935&article=9905862

This case has that weird feeling of a cover up.

For what it's worth, the new UM (with Farina) had an "UPDATE" at the end of the segment which said that "Sean/Don" had be ruled out as a supect in Tracy's death. They did not elaborate on why, just simply said he is no longer considered a suspect in her murder.

For what it's worth, the new UM (with Farina) had an "UPDATE" at the end of the segment which said that "Sean/Don" had be ruled out as a supect in Tracy's death. They did not elaborate on why, just simply said he is no longer considered a suspect in her murder.

From what I remember there was never any credible evidence available in which to link this individual to the murder of Tracy Lynn Kirkpatrick. I remembering discussing this case several times in the past and the general vibe I got from this individual was similar to a lot of the allegations that have been thrown in the direction of Tim Binder in that his actions or statements made him look more like a potential suspect than he actually was.

Echoing another forum member's sentiments, this does seem like one of those cases where a conclusion should've been reached rather easily but for some reason that hasn't been the case. It does make you question the investigation into this murder and why this has proven to be such a difficult solve.

Tracey was only 18 years old during the time she got killed, back then.

Echoing another forum member's sentiments, this does seem like one of those cases where a conclusion should've been reached rather easily but for some reason that hasn't been the case. It does make you question the investigation into this murder and why this has proven to be such a difficult solve.

Reading earlier posts in this thread and another Tracy Kirkpatrick thread, I feel strongly that the security guard who found her body is the one responsible. There was a link to an article posted in one of the threads that said he walked by the store at 9:00 and then returned at 10:30 and noticed the lights were still on in the store which is when he went in and found Tracy's body. IIRC, another poster made a statement about how small the strip mall was and that it would be impossible for him to have not noticed the lights being on for a full hour and a half. And I also read that another poster said that from 9-10:30 the guards whereabouts were unknown, he had no alibi, and he also allegedly went to the house of his ex-wife to pick up a different suit to change into that night.

If anyone is interested, here's a recent article on the case. Apologies in advance if it was posted elsewhere. I put the link first, then the text

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/crime/who-killed-tracey-kirkpatrick/article_53efa27e-793f-5871-8719-435bd265f58f.html

Who killed Tracey Kirkpatrick?
By Courtney Mabeus News-Post Staff | Posted: Saturday, March 15, 2014 2:00 am

Twenty-five years ago today, a security guard found the body of 17-year-old Tracey Kirkpatrick in a storage room at Aileen's Ladies Sportswear in the Westridge Shopping Center on the Golden Mile.

The Brunswick High School senior had been stabbed to death.
Her killer remains at large.

Tracey's murder is among the most well-known cold cases in Frederick, in part because of its brutality. She was stabbed multiple times in the chest and back sometime between 8 p.m., the time her manager stopped by, and 10:30 p.m., when an off-duty Frederick County sheriff's deputy moonlighting as a security guard found her.

The teenager never got the shot at life that she deserved. Tracey was a hard worker with aspirations, intent on going to a small college to study accounting and then law school.

No money was taken from the store. Tracey was not sexually assaulted.

Police do not know if the crime was committed by someone who knew her or perhaps a drifter passing through the city. No one was ever charged in the case, according to Lt. Clark Pennington, Frederick Police Department spokesman and commander of the criminal investigation unit.

Police know the killer used a knife, but the murder weapon was not found, Pennington said.

“We're talking about a brutally heinous crime,” he said. “It was such a shocking case. She was and is a true victim.”

Every anniversary of Tracey's death is an opportunity to bring attention to unsolved murder cases, hers and others. Frederick police are still searching for killers in about a dozen cold cases.

Police do not know who shot and killed Lamont Ellis, 36, as he walked to his car in Mullinix Alley on Sept. 30, 2012, after a night out with friends.

Police are also still investigating the stabbing of a man who was found injured in July on Willowdale Drive. The man later died at the hospital.

The Kirkpatrick family will mourn Tracey's death quietly this year, her older sister Deonda Fitzpatrick said in a brief phone conversation with The Frederick News-Post earlier this week.

The family will honor Tracey with a candlelight vigil tonight at 7:30 at a tree planted in her memory at Brunswick High School.

“It's still on our minds,” Deonda Kirkpatrick said. “We still think about it. It's still there.”

Pennington said Frederick police are still working the case and still get tips. In February 2012, he and other members of the department went to Philadelphia to present the case to the Vidocq Society, an organization of elite criminal investigation experts.

Because the case is still under investigation, Pennington would not reveal the results of the Vidocq meeting. He said the department continues to meet with the Kirkpatrick family.

As technology improves, police have the opportunity to apply new science to old evidence, Pennington said.

“We have evidence in all our cases,” he said.

Police are going back, interviewing former officers who worked at the department to see if new clues can be uncovered, Pennington said; earlier this year, a representative from the department interviewed a former captain involved in the case who now lives in Florida.

“If there is a name listed in the file, we are interviewing them,” he said.
Deonda Kirkpatrick recently wrote a letter to Tracey. In it, she described making a photo collage with her sister as a Christmas gift for their parents last year. She realized how much Tracey still lives on. Tracey's compassionate heart and feisty attitude are reflected in her nieces and nephews, Deonda Kirkpatrick wrote, adding that "you have made yourself a part of everything and everyone in this family."

"You help us cope day-to-day in seeing your amazing attributes in this and the next generation."

Follow Courtney Mabeus on Twitter: @courtmabeus.

This is one of those cases that I'm shocked hasn't been solved. R-reading this thread and we have a poster who claims to know someone associated with the Police Department back then. This poster says this case was bungled from the beginning and could have been solved easily within 24 hours. I wonder how that guy knows that?

Which thread was it where a random poster came on here and claimed that they believed their father to be Tracy's killer? IIRC, this poster started direct messaging one of our forum regulars. Which forum regular was it? Does anyone remember this?

This is one of those cases that I'm shocked hasn't been solved. R-reading this thread and we have a poster who claims to know someone associated with the Police Department back then. This poster says this case was bungled from the beginning and could have been solved easily within 24 hours. I wonder how that guy knows that?

Which thread was it where a random poster came on here and claimed that they believed their father to be Tracy's killer? IIRC, this poster started direct messaging one of our forum regulars. Which forum regular was it? Does anyone remember this?


I use dto work with a guy that was a former Maryland State Policeman working out of Frederick County. I asked him about this case one day (At first, he said the name sounded familiar but didn't remember the case. As soon as I started giving him details, he remembered immediately). He said that the Frederick Police should have immediately called the MD State Police for assistance (due to the location of the crime, near a major highway). He said if that had happened, the case propbably could have been solved (through a cooperative effort) with 24 hours. However, the Frederick police have a reputation (according to him) for being above other law enforcement attitude-wise. They would refuse to admit they needed any assistance on any case. furthermore, my buddy stated many of the members of the Frederick police (at that time) were just lazy (he gave a story of a shooting call to which both state police and Frederick police responded. The guy was in his home, with his head half-blown off with a shotgun and the blood was already starting to gel. The Frederick officer asked the wife what happened. She simply responded "He shot himself about 10 minutes ago". He asked her no other questions (and was going to write it off as a suicide) and began to write down the info. It later turns out that the husband and wife had an argument. She shot him --with help from her sister--and then waited 30 mins. prior to calling any police, presumably to cover up the crime. The lady and sister were both later convicted but it shows how poorly the Frederick county officer handled the case.).

Sadly, it seems that the Tracy Kirkpatrick case should have been solved long ago.

Read more: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=121459&page=2#ixzz3Y4iKCwQ3


If you are referring to my old post, the retired MD State Trooper said it could have been solved within 24 hours if Fredrick county had immediately contacted the MD State Police for assistance. He said the joint effort would have likely led to a quick solve and arrest.

This is one of those cases that has always stuck with me too.

Here's the Facebook page maintained (by the family?). It seems to be fairly active.
https://www.facebook.com/Whokilledtracey/

I think that thing that bothers me most about Tracy's death is that there seems to be no rhyme or reason for it. It wasn't a robbery and she wasn't sexually assaulted. Someone came to the store, stabbed her, and left. Why? There's no evidence that has been put forward that anyone harbored any ill will toward her. I can't find any motive for this crime other than to kill a random person. It's just so senseless.

"It wasn't a robbery and she wasn't sexually assaulted. Someone came to the store, stabbed her, and left. Why?"

Read more: Tracy Kirkpatrick - Page 5 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards - Forums http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=5225506#post5225506#ixzz4bSChcptw

Everything about the lack of motivators makes me think it was personal and emotional. There's no other reasonable answer for it and while a crazy person killing for fun is possible; I don't think it's very likely.

Seems like it was someone that knew her but this case is baffling with quite a few unanswered questions

I didn't realize they had some DNA samples they tested. Wonder what became of that

Everything about the lack of motivators makes me think it was personal and emotional. There's no other reasonable answer for it and while a crazy person killing for fun is possible; I don't think it's very likely.

I feel the same way. If it was a random attacker, there would be some reason that they did it other than to watch a young girl die. And there should be evidence of that reason at the scene.

But, I also feel like a personal, emotional killings very rarely sit so long without some sort of viable suspect. If it was someone she knew, police should be able to trace back to a suspect even if they don't have enough evidence to prosecute. The Sean/Don guy who called the confession hotline and communicated with the psychic told a plausible story about knowing her, coming by to talk, arguing, and finally stabbing her. But, he's been cleared as a suspect. I'm just at a loss on this one.

I'm a little surprised it hasn't been solved with all the publicity it got over the years.

This is one of the segments that has always just stuck with me. It feels like it should have been solved. I would assume (but perhaps shouldn't) that most of the stores in that shopping center would have closed around the same time and someone really out of the ordinary would have been noticed.

I am pretty sure this is a case of a her turning down the advances of a guy that was attracted to her and he gets mad and stabs her to death. The question is who it is

Apologies in advance if this has already been posted in another Tracey Kirkpatrick thread.

There's a video on YouTube that was posted last year titled, 'Who Killed Tracey Kirkpatrick.' It's badly edited but kind of interesting, nonetheless. There are interviews with Tracey's father and one of her sisters. They go through plenty of old family photos.

They bring up the massive elephant in the room; Don Barnes Jr., the security guard who found Tracey's body, but they don't specifically say if they believe he in the killer or not. A different family member talks to a family friend of Barnes Jr. on his cell phone and he makes some not so great arguments to justify why he doesn't think Don is the killer.

-He was young.
-He doesn't see how Barnes could continue being a cop for years and years like he did if he knew he had stabbed a girl to death.
-Everyone who knows him doesn't believe it's in his character.

Being 25 years old is not too young to kill someone. We could find countless examples of killers who were that age or younger. We've also heard plenty of stories of people who have killed, gotten away with it and gone on with their lives without that whole guilty conscience thing getting in the way. He was the son of the sheriff, who was pretty corrupt himself according to locals who have posted online.

Check out the vid.

Apologies in advance if this has already been posted in another Tracey Kirkpatrick thread.

There's a video on YouTube that was posted last year titled, 'Who Killed Tracey Kirkpatrick.' It's badly edited but kind of interesting, nonetheless. There are interviews with Tracey's father and one of her sisters. They go through plenty of old family photos.

They bring up the massive elephant in the room; Don Barnes Jr., the security guard who found Tracey's body, but they don't specifically say if they believe he in the killer or not. A different family member talks to a family friend of Barnes Jr. on his cell phone and he makes some not so great arguments to justify why he doesn't think Don is the killer.

-He was young.
-He doesn't see how Barnes could continue being a cop for years and years like he did if he knew he had stabbed a girl to death.
-Everyone who knows him doesn't believe it's in his character.

Being 25 years old is not too young to kill someone. We could find countless examples of killers who were that age or younger. We've also heard plenty of stories of people who have killed, gotten away with it and gone on with their lives without that whole guilty conscience thing getting in the way. He was the son of the sheriff, who was pretty corrupt himself according to locals who have posted online.

Check out the vid.

It definitely had to have been the security guard. There were no signs of anything being disturbed, and nothing was stolen. I feel like he tried to make a move on her but was denied, an argument broke out, and he killed her in a fit of rage. I'm sure he killed her, disposed of the weapon, and called it in.

To me his age makes more sense for the murder. He was closer to her age despite being older, so I buy a younger security guard getting more upset about being turned down than an older one. Unless they had a fight about something different all together.

It definitely had to have been the security guard. There were no signs of anything being disturbed, and nothing was stolen. I feel like he tried to make a move on her but was denied, an argument broke out, and he killed her in a fit of rage. I'm sure he killed her, disposed of the weapon, and called it in.

To me his age makes more sense for the murder. He was closer to her age despite being older, so I buy a younger security guard getting more upset about being turned down than an older one. Unless they had a fight about something different all together.

I'm sure this has already been stated, but the night before she had gotten back together w/ an ex-boyfriend, so it almost seems as though the night of the murder, a "friend" she was talking to at the store, she may have said she was back together w/ so and so (and from what I hear about Tracey being pretty up-front and blunt with people) and he probably was angry that she wasn't available or this was another roadblock in the way and murdered her because he didn't want anyone else to have her.

I'm sure this has already been stated, but the night before she had gotten back together w/ an ex-boyfriend, so it almost seems as though the night of the murder, a "friend" she was talking to at the store, she may have said she was back together w/ so and so (and from what I hear about Tracey being pretty up-front and blunt with people) and he probably was angry that she wasn't available or this was another roadblock in the way and murdered her because he didn't want anyone else to have her.

That could be in reference to the "argument" that was noted in the confession tape. It wouldn't surprise me. I think if a classmate was infatuated with her enough to visit her at her job, he would have been easier to track down.

I still think it was the security guard. According to the daughter, Don was very much into younger women, even at age 25. Tracey was a couple months shy of her 18th birthday AND her high school graduation. So in HIS eyes, a relationship could have been possible. He was the son of the sheriff, had a roommate named Sean, yadda, yadda, yadda. We've been over those details before.

A knife killing is a much more 'intimate' way of killing someone. You really want your victim to suffer a longer more painful death. So he REALLY must not have been able to handle that kind of rejection. Is it even common for a strip mall security guard to carry a knife? Whatever the case, it also bothered me in the confession tape when he said that he didn't start to feel remorse until a few days later when he noticed how much sadness he caused the residents of Frederick. So he needed to see OTHER people's reaction to realize the severity of what he did? This guy has no business being on the streets.

From everything I have read online, it sounds like the residents of Frederick have always believed Barnes Jr. killed Tracey and he was able to get away with it because of the connections through his father. This is one of those tragic cases where corruption wins out and keeps a guilty person free. You can't help but feel completely disgusted by that. It makes me regret watching that YouTube video with Tracey's father and sister. The sister breaks down in tears several times and says that because her parents are starting to get up in years, she desperately wants them to have closure before they die. But they have had no hope to hold on to for 28 years now.

A knife killing is a much more 'intimate' way of killing someone. You really want your victim to suffer a longer more painful death. So he REALLY must not have been able to handle that kind of rejection. Is it even common for a strip mall security guard to carry a knife? Whatever the case

While I agree with everything you've said, and I agree that a knife is an intimate way of killing someone, I wonder if that's all that was available? If it was a quick rejection, or argument then I don't think he thought too much about the intimacy of killing her with a knife, he probably grabbed what was closest.

I don't think they can carry knives, but he probably took one personally.

Since he said "a knife that I have with me at all times" he is probably one of those people who carry a knife with them always, and I agree, he got angry and that's all that was available (and, if it were the security guard, he probably couldn't carry a gun..but could always have his personal knife on him.)

While I agree with everything you've said, and I agree that a knife is an intimate way of killing someone, I wonder if that's all that was available? If it was a quick rejection, or argument then I don't think he thought too much about the intimacy of killing her with a knife, he probably grabbed what was closest.

I don't think they can carry knives, but he probably took one personally.

Indeed. It was a killing carried out probably through convenience more than anything else. Even if he had a gun on him and used it, people nearby would have heard the gunshot and it would have been less easy for him to flee the store undetected. Although he would have had to time his exit from the store perfectly if he was covered with blood. I know Tracey's mother mentioned in the segment that she found it hard to believe the killer could leave the store and not be seen by anybody.

You're most likely right. Other than strangling her to death, using his personal knife would have been the easiest go-to device to pull off the whole thing.

I know Tracey's mother mentioned in the segment that she found it hard to believe the killer could leave the store and not be seen by anybody.

That makes it the perfect crime. The killer never had to leave, and he called the police. I wonder where he hid the knife though.

Since he said "a knife that I have with me at all times" he is probably one of those people who carry a knife with them always, and I agree, he got angry and that's all that was available (and, if it were the security guard, he probably couldn't carry a gun..but could always have his personal knife on him.)

FYI, security guards are allowed to carry a gun. There are a few factors that go into that however. The company itself has to have the proper permit in its jurisdiction and the guard carrying has to also have the proper permits. Another factor is if the customer wants the guard armed or not. I had to go through the entire process in my state to be a licensed private detective agency that has an armed permit. As the principle, it's up to me to get anyone that works for me permitted to carry while on the job. In Illinois it's called having a firearm control card. It allows one to carry while they are in the performance of their job.

That makes it the perfect crime. The killer never had to leave, and he called the police. I wonder where he hid the knife though.

Only if he didn't get blood on himself while stabbing her, which is bound to be extremely difficult.

The theory, as placed by his daughter, was that he went home and changed into a clean suit and THEN came back to the store to "discover" the body and radio police. And that makes sense. You can't have the victim's blood all over you once the police have arrived.

That means he still had to leave in the first place. It might have helped if there was a door in the back storeroom where the altercation took place. A strip mall parking lot around 9:45ish at night, it would be difficult to get out of there undetected but not impossible.

Only if he didn't get blood on himself while stabbing her, which is bound to be extremely difficult.

The theory, as placed by his daughter, was that he went home and changed into a clean suit and THEN came back to the store to "discover" the body and radio police. And that makes sense. You can't have the victim's blood all over you once the police have arrived.

That means he still had to leave in the first place. It might have helped if there was a door in the back storeroom where the altercation took place. A strip mall parking lot around 9:45ish at night, it would be difficult to get out of there undetected but not impossible.

Maybe. It's still weird that he went home covered in blood and no one saw/said anything. It's possible that he didn't get blood on him, or had a change of clothes in his car. I really wish they would've checked his car. I'm confident that knife was somewhere in his car.

I know that Sean and Don turned out to be the same person. I'm still not clear on whether or not Sean/Don and the security guard are the same person? Can someone clarify please?

I know that Sean and Don turned out to be the same person. I'm still not clear on whether or not Sean/Don and the security guard are the same person? Can someone clarify please?

It's kind of a confusing mess, to be honest.

According to the daughter, Don and Sean were roommates for a short while in Walkersville, MD. Walkersville was where Don's confession tape was tracked back to, in a phone booth outside a grocery store. Don eventually moved out but continued to pay rent to Sean for a few months, according to the daughter.

The man calling himself Sean was desperate to have Tracey's killer be caught and made contact with the psychic, Martha Woodworth. He was the one who sent all the newspaper clippings to her. The daughter thinks Sean was too scared to go to the police so that is why he contacted Martha. She thinks Martha was correct in that this person had 'a much stronger involvement,' than a casual observer but was mistaken about who's voice was on the tape.

However, the return address on Sean's envelope that the police investigated was to a man who was not named Don OR Sean. And this man was eventually cleared and is no longer a suspect. So again...it's confusing.

I almost feel that, potentially the roommate of Don, was told the story of what happened by "Don" (the said murderer) and, like Dynoguy said, was afraid to go to the police or turn him in himself, but I feel like he called into the confession hotline with the story he was told and claimed to be Don, hoping that would draw suspicion to Don. I don't feel like "Don" the murderer actually called in that confession...it seems very unlike a murderer to do in this case (since nothing has been said since), let alone use his own name...knowing he was a security guard at the strip mall and his name was Don.

I almost feel that, potentially the roommate of Don, was told the story of what happened by "Don" (the said murderer) and, like Dynoguy said, was afraid to go to the police or turn him in himself, but I feel like he called into the confession hotline with the story he was told and claimed to be Don, hoping that would draw suspicion to Don. I don't feel like "Don" the murderer actually called in that confession...it seems very unlike a murderer to do in this case (since nothing has been said since), let alone use his own name...knowing he was a security guard at the strip mall and his name was Don.

That's a good theory, it actually seems quite plausible.

I almost feel that, potentially the roommate of Don, was told the story of what happened by "Don" (the said murderer) and, like Dynoguy said, was afraid to go to the police or turn him in himself, but I feel like he called into the confession hotline with the story he was told and claimed to be Don, hoping that would draw suspicion to Don. I don't feel like "Don" the murderer actually called in that confession...it seems very unlike a murderer to do in this case (since nothing has been said since), let alone use his own name...knowing he was a security guard at the strip mall and his name was Don.

That would tie all the loose ends together, provided Sean was a fake name, or maybe a nickname. But when the daughter finally saw the UM broadcast, she said it was her father's voice. So take from that what you will. If the scenario you presented is correct, then it was actually the daughter who got the voices mistaken and NOT Martha Woodworth. But regardless of who is correct, that doesn't change who the main suspect is.

Another line from the confession tape that is notable is when he says, "I often came by and talked with her when she was working alone." The security guard would always be the first one to know when she was working alone, since it's his job to constantly keep an eye on the store as well as the others in that strip mall.

On the 20 year anniversary of Tracey's murder, there was an article written about the case that included a quote from a retired Frederick Police Officer. It said...

Retired Frederick Police Department Cpl. Bob Servacek is convinced he knows who killed Tracey Kirkpatrick.

"The case was solved in 1994," Servacek said. "As far as I was concerned."

Based on circumstantial evidence, he believes more than enough evidence exists for an arrest and a conviction. He believes a friend of the 17-year-old Brunswick High student killed her.

"What derailed the process was politics and personal agendas," Servacek said. "Certain individuals did not do their jobs and derailed the case."

He did not wish to elaborate.

When he mentions politics and personal agendas, that would certainly include covering for the son of the sheriff, if that is indeed what he was talking about. And Don could have been someone Tracey considered a work friend, if she saw him every evening at the clothing store and Tracey gave him one of her senior pictures.

Well, I guess in one way the confession could have been legit and, the killer's way of saying to himself "hey, you confessed, that's all you can do, and you did it...now I don't feel as much guilt since I have confessed." Not so much "repenting" by serving prison time, but by clearing his own conscience.

Maybe someone can help clear up some of the confusion:

From my understanding, Don IS the prime suspect in the case. Sean was Don's roommate. Don was the son of the local Sheriff. Sean knew (or suspected) that Don was involved in Tracy's murder, so he called the hotline pretending to be Don. Police consider both men suspects for a period of time. The UM update says "Don/Sean is no longer considered a suspect". I take that to mean that the roommate Sean. Don is still the prime suspect. Is that correct?

Maybe someone can help clear up some of the confusion:

From my understanding, Don IS the prime suspect in the case. Sean was Don's roommate. Don was the son of the local Sheriff. Sean knew (or suspected) that Don was involved in Tracy's murder, so he called the hotline pretending to be Don. Police consider both men suspects for a period of time. The UM update says "Don/Sean is no longer considered a suspect". I take that to mean that the roommate Sean. Don is still the prime suspect. Is that correct?

Don the caller is the main suspect.

The police have never mentioned if Don the security guard, son of the sheriff (and man who discovered Tracey's body) is the same suspect.

The man who was investigated and cleared was not named Don or Sean.

Everything else has been speculation and us trying to connect the dots from the info provided by UM and daughter.

Don the caller is the main suspect.

The police have never mentioned if Don the security guard, son of the sheriff (and man who discovered Tracey's body) is the same suspect.

The man who was investigated and cleared was not named Don or Sean.

Everything else has been speculation and us trying to connect the dots from the info provided by UM and daughter.

Thanks

But that makes it more confusing. Was the man who was cleared the same man who kept contacting the psychic?

Thanks

But that makes it more confusing. Was the man who was cleared the same man who kept contacting the psychic?

I know. It's very confusing.

The psychic was sure the man who contacted her (calling himself Sean) was actually Don when she heard the confession tape. Whether she was correct, we'll probably never know.

The return address on Sean's envelope was to a man who was NOT named Sean or Don. On the one year anniversary of Tracey's murder, a radio station played Don's confession tape to the citizens of Frederick and several people called in thinking they knew the voice and it was the same man on Sean's return address. When police searched his house, they found a ton of newspaper articles about Tracey's murder but found no evidence he knew her personally. Eventually, THIS man was cleared as a suspect, as pointed out on the Amazon Prime update. But again, he is not named Don or Sean.

Now once you've put that all aside, we have this: According to the daughter, her father (Don) had a roommate named Sean at the time of the murder. Don moved out shortly after the murder but continued paying rent to Sean for a couple months.

Sooooooo...if you can connect those dots, more power to you.

Wasn't there a discussion about a UM fan convention on this board? Maybe if we do that, we can have a whiteboard session to discuss all the particulars in this case...maybe we can even solve it :p

Sooooooo...if you can connect those dots, more power to you.

If the daughter's information is accurate, and the psychic was mistaken about who's voice she heard, that means there's Don the security guard, his roommate Sean, and another man who had an "interest" in the case who was the one who contacted the psychic. This mystery man and Don (the caller) were the only suspects in the case. Mystery man has since been cleared. Don, the caller, might be the security guard (who is also named Don). I think if one were to read between the lines, the caller Don is one and the same as the security guard. He had connections to local law enforcement, he was the one who found Tracy, and he would've had the opportunity to commit the crime.

Slightly off-topic with regards to Tracy's murder, but I wonder who the mystery man was? Concerned citizen, or someone known to the real killer (who also knew that he had a roommate named Sean)?

The security guard did it. Hands down.

If he was patrolling, then I find it odd that he didn't see anyone else enter or exit the store. No signs of anyone else being there, and she was found in the closet. If someone came to talk to her then why would they be in the closet instead of in the storefront?

You know who would talk to her in the closet? An employee. I'm sure she was in there when he went in to "talk" to her. The calls, and the rest of the gunk is worthless. If we were to focus on the callers then I'll say Don, or his roommate called. Confession, or snitchin' is all there is to it.

Agree re: the security guard's guilt. Anybody know where he is these days? Still out of the country?

Agree re: the security guard's guilt. Anybody know where he is these days? Still out of the country?

According to his father's obituary from 2010, he is married to a woman named Laurie (she better sleep with one eye open) and they lived in Adamstown as of then. Not sure if that still applies today.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fredericknewspost/obituary.aspx?n=donald-charles-barnes&pid=168497555&

latest article from 2014..still not solved

Pennington said Frederick police are still working the case and still get tips. In February 2012, he and other members of the department went to Philadelphia to present the case to the Vidocq Society, an organization of elite criminal investigation experts.

https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/crime_and_justice/cops_and_crime/who-killed-tracey-kirkpatrick/article_53efa27e-793f-5871-8719-435bd265f58f.html

Such a sad case. A promising young life snuffed out before it really began.

Someone posted this on reddit:

My grandmother was a librarian in Maryland, in Walkersville, and there are many homeless and mentally ill individuals who hang out around the library because it's free and it's a place to stay. My grandma considers herself a friend to the friendless and befriended many of these people over the years. There was one man who I'll call Joe who she kept in contact with even after she left the library. He would become obsessed and fixated on things, and one of his favorite names was Melissa which is my name. When he knew my grandmother had a granddaughter named Melissa, he began to send me a birthday card every year. His other obsessions included umbrellas and blood.
I've never had the opportunity to meet Joe but I've heard many stories about him from my grandmother- including how he confessed to a retail store murder that he did not commit to a national hotline. Just because. I had no idea this case was still unsolved or talked about. All of this happened before I was born.
It's sad because the phone call is suspicious and everyone thinks it could lead to an answer but in reality, it was just a symptom of mental illness.

My guess about the caller is this: He was interested in the case and felt like he KNEW the killer was Don the security guard. That is what compelled him to make the confession call, so that a) LE would think it was Don actually calling, or b) to at least get the finger pointed on the right guy in hopes that LE would wake up and smell the coffee. Of course, since daddy was the sheriff, that didn't happen.

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but sometimes in true crime shows (and even fictional crime shows) you will hear about someone who craves to be a cop like their father or grandfather or big brother, but they fail the psych testing or physical testing and then end becoming....you guessed it...a security guard instead.

The security guard did it. Hands down.

If he was patrolling, then I find it odd that he didn't see anyone else enter or exit the store. No signs of anyone else being there, and she was found in the closet. If someone came to talk to her then why would they be in the closet instead of in the storefront?

You know who would talk to her in the closet? An employee. I'm sure she was in there when he went in to "talk" to her. The calls, and the rest of the gunk is worthless. If we were to focus on the callers then I'll say Don, or his roommate called. Confession, or snitchin' is all there is to it.

Exactly. I have always believed it that security guard.

I've always refrained from commenting on this case because of how confusing it is, though after seeing it again, I read through all 7pgs of this thread and am in agreement w/everyone re: the security guard.

Two questions (may have overlooked the answers)

1) Did anyone see the guard leave or return to the shopping center?

2) Has any effort been made to get a DNA sample from him? The UM wiki says that testing of samples from the scene was to start in 2009 (link (http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Tracy_Kirkpatrick))

Today marks 30 years since her murder. I am saddened that three decades later, there is no justice for Tracy and her family continues to grieve. The only thing that could help now is DNA, if any was left in the store and/or on Tracy's body/clothing. Tracy's family deserves answers and her soul cannot rest until her killer is caught and tried.

Today marks 30 years since her murder. I am saddened that three decades later, there is no justice for Tracy and her family continues to grieve. The only thing that could help now is DNA, if any was left in the store and/or on Tracy's body/clothing. Tracy's family deserves answers and her soul cannot rest until her killer is caught and tried.

Tracy was exactly the type of kid I was always jealous of when I was in high school. The kid who really had their act together. She was a great student, smart, independent, already knew what she wanted to do with her life. She had such a bright future ahead of her and was robbed of that.

This one hurts just as a viewer. I can't imagine the hell Tracy's family must feel every day. (Though it was on display last year when two family members released that YouTube video and her sister was sobbing and saying she wants this solved before her parents die.)

If everything Don Barnes' daughter told me 14 years ago was true, it severely hurts my trust in the Frederick Police ever [wanting to] solve this.

I wonder if there is DNA evidence? If so, it should be uploaded into a genealogy site and see if there is a match like it was with the EAR.

Is it just me or is the poem that Tracy loved so much not a very good poem? It's so full of cliches and token phrases you hear every day on any soap opera.

Is it just me or is the poem that Tracy loved so much not a very good poem? It's so full of cliches and token phrases you hear every day on any soap opera.

Christina Rossetti wrote that poem as a teenager in 1849, which sort of predates the cliches and soap operas.

Christina Rossetti wrote that poem as a teenager in 1849, which sort of predates the cliches and soap operas.

So that's where they get their scripts from!

Having reached the 30th anniversary of the murder a couple months ago, there's some interesting links online.

This one, 'Who Killed Tracey?' from Frederick Magazine seems to have the most info. And it's not all good. It seems there was so little done for sooooo many years in regards to DNA by investigators and they blamed it on money. We all know the drama with Don Barnes Jr. And I'd hate to think these people were just talking out of their asses in order to protect him. But it's gets harder and harder to not think of anything else.

The department has resubmitted some evidence for DNA testing. “We are looking at the new wave of DNA testing and what is required for it,” Alcorn says. “[There are] limitations. The limitations of the testing. The case is 30 years old. A lot of the evidence has already been tested. We are starting to run into a situation where we don’t want to test something unless we know we are going to get the result we want back. When I say that, we don’t want to test something and then they come back and say, ‘Sorry. It’s inconclusive.’ We want some type of resolution to this case, whether, ‘Yes, this is the person’ or ‘No, this is not the person.’ We want to be able to send something down to the lab and say, ‘Yes, this belongs to this person’ or ‘No, it does not’ 100 percent rather than, ‘Oh, it’s inconclusive,’ because inconclusive doesn’t really help us with the investigation at all.”

Billy Kirkpatrick says his frustration with the case might have been felt by the previous detective on the case. “He told me the same thing,” he says. “No money. We have to wait until we get money so we can send something to the lab. That’s all they have done for the last 10 years is send stuff to the lab. Same old thing.” Thirty years is a long time to hear no one has been arrested for your daughter’s murder. “A lot of times you talk to them and nothing would have been done in a year or two years, and all of the sudden they send something to the lab,” he says. “… Nothing has been done but lab stuff.”

Also, a GoFundMe page has been set up by Frederick resident who wants to not only portray the case but to celebrate Tracey's life. He asked for and was granted permission by the Kirkpatrick family to do this project. Unfortunately, after three months, only $1,745 of the $15,000 goal has been collected.

Here's the link to the magazine article...

https://www.fredmag.com/who-killed-tracey/

And the link to the GoFundMe page. Please spread this link to as many people as possible to get the word out.

https://www.gofundme.com/the-silent-land-who-killed-tracey-kirkpatrick

Christina Rossetti wrote that poem as a teenager in 1849, which sort of predates the cliches and soap operas.

Rossetti wrote better ("Goblin Market"), but let's also remember that Kilpatrick was a teen and like most teens she confused the trite and morbid for the profound.

Rossetti wrote better ("Goblin Market"), but let's also remember that Kilpatrick was a teen and like most teens she confused the trite and morbid for the profound.
Exactly right

Christina Rossetti wrote that poem as a teenager in 1849, which sort of predates the cliches and soap operas.

I always found it super creepy when they have some narrator (Woman or Man) read a note, poem, letter, etc.

This TK segment was both extremely sad & also somewhat creepy, re: the poem by Christina Rosetti.

Obviously, the person who called and "confessed" was a false lead. It sounds like a red herring, as we've seen in many of these cases. The guy sounded like a nutcase.

I don't have any ideas on who actually killed TK. It sounds like the security guard was a good suspect, but at the same time there is no real proof.

So the guy who contacted the psychic was just a local guy who had interest in the case, and was cleared by law enforcement (according to the text update on Prime). I did find an interesting tidbit on the Frederick Magazine article linked above by dynoguy:

Tracey had been late coming home to Point of Rocks the night before, too. On that evening Billy drove up to Frederick thinking her car, which had been having mechanical issues, needed to be fixed. He found Tracey talking to a boy she had dated. The two decided to get back together that night. Her parents warned her to call them if she was going to be late.

Also:

Instead, the murder investigation focused on two suspects, both of whom knew Tracey. Detectives who previously worked on the case believed there was enough circumstantial evidence for a grand jury indictment, but an actual conviction might have been elusive. To avoid a suspect being protected by double-jeopardy, the indictment was not pursued in order to give future investigators the opportunity to obtain more evidence.

This, coupled with an investigator's comment from a 1994 article about him believing her killer was a student who knew her from her high school, makes me think that her boyfriend is the other suspect. IMO, not enough attention has been paid to him, and the focus has been squarely on the security guard, Don Barnes.

So the guy who contacted the psychic was just a local guy who had interest in the case, and was cleared by law enforcement (according to the text update on Prime). I did find an interesting tidbit on the Frederick Magazine article linked above by dynoguy:



Also:



This, coupled with an investigator's comment from a 1994 article about him believing her killer was a student who knew her from her high school, makes me think that her boyfriend is the other suspect. IMO, not enough attention has been paid to him, and the focus has been squarely on the security guard, Don Barnes.

Unless Tracy changed her mind in the span of a few days and decided not to get back together with this old boyfriend, then getting into an argument and knifing her (as was suggested during the 'Confession' Call) sounds a bit far fetched.

OTOH, if this old boyfriend had a reason/reasons for wanting her dead, he could've gotten back together with her as a ruse - in order to lure her into a false sense of security before he killed her (he could've showed up late one night, gotten her into the storeroom to make out/fool around & then stabbed her out of the blue).

Either way, it'll take either DNA evidence and/or someone with a guilty conscience to break this open I think

Looks like the documentary of Tracy will be released sometime in 2021, appropriately titled; "Into the Silent Land." It was funded largely thanks to donations from Tracy's former classmates.

There's a short trailer featured on it's official website where you hear quotes about politics and coverups. Looks like they'll be allowed a little more freedom to discuss the most obvious suspect, whereas Unsolved Mysteries had to withhold the fact that the security guard who "found" Tracy's body was named Don, who had a former roommate named Sean.

I'm extra curious to know if Don Barnes Jr.'s daughter will be interviewed.

https://www.intothesilentland.com/

I was just listening to the Re-Solved Mysteries Podcast covering this case and they mentioned a good point.

It was mentioned that indictments can be brought up on both of the major suspects (Don Barnes Jr. and the classmate of Tracy's that has never been named) if either suspect was brought in and later released due to insufficient evidence, prosecutors would not be able to bring up charges against them a second time. So, to avoid a suspect being protected by Double Jeopardy, it's said that investigators kept the case open in order to give future investigators more evidence that could secure a conviction.

That makes sense but only up to a certain point. 32 years have now passed, so how much longer are you going to wait for people to hopefully discover more evidence until you just take a chance and indict this person, who will just keep aging, (Don Barnes is now 57) and just bring him to trial? At what point do you just give it a try and see what happens?

I ask because I feel so desperately sorry for Tracy's mother, Diane. With so many years passing and the killer remaining free, the emotional toll it's taken on Diane has been severe. She mentioned in an article several years ago that she's basically become a hermit in her own home, refusing to ever leave unless her other children take her out.

Tracy's parents are now in their late 70's and I want this huge weight taken off their shoulders BEFORE they die.

... if either suspect was brought in and later released due to insufficient evidence, prosecutors would not be able to bring up charges against them a second time. So, to avoid a suspect being protected by Double Jeopardy, it's said that investigators kept the case open in order to give future investigators more evidence that could secure a conviction.

Prosecutors can charge a suspect as many times as they want to. Bringing someone in and releasing them due to lack of evidence does not count toward the double jeopardy statute.

Double jeopardy only applies when a suspect is arrested, charged, tried and acquitted.

Prosecutors can charge a suspect as many times as they want to. Bringing someone in and releasing them due to lack of evidence does not count toward the double jeopardy statute.

Double jeopardy only applies when a suspect is arrested, charged, tried and acquitted.

Good to know. That you for that correction. But I'm still annoyed that so many years pass and we don't seem to get any progress.

I am trying to recall the details as to why the security guard is a suspect in the case. I do remember some online gossip about the police department covering for the killer, and that the sheriff at the time was the security guard's father, but other than that and being the one to find Tracy's body, what other evidence has been released (if anything) that makes people believe he's the prime suspect? Because from what I can gather from tidbits and remarks made by law enforcement and even district attorney's, is that this case was looked at extensively in the 90's and early 2000's and DNA testing which led nowhere.

It should also be noted that the Frederick City police were the ones tasked with investigating Tracy's murder, and not the Frederick County Sheriff's Department. It would seem weird to me that all of these people would be involved in covering up a murder to appease the county Sheriff (who has been dead for over a decade). I also found an interesting tidbit from a since removed article from 2009, in which the second detective working the case was convinced that an older acquaintance of Tracey's was the killer, and that this was the person who was under the grand jury investigation (of which 2/3 voted to indict), but the prosecutor at the time declined to indict him. This is what he meant when he said:

"What derailed the process was politics and personal agendas," Servacek said. "Certain individuals did not do their jobs and derailed the case."

It had nothing to do with the Sheriff's department, but rather the prosecutor at the time not wanting to ruin her political aspirations. He said pretty much the same thing in this (https://newspaperarchive.com/news-aug-24-1995-p-1/) article from 1995.

A retired Frederick City police detective who spent two years investigating Tracey Kirkpatrick's murder says the county state's attorney s office is not vigorously pursuing prosecution of the man he believes killed her.

A grand jury convened in June 1994 to hear evidence in the Kirkpatrick Case voted to indict the suspect but Deputy state's attorney Julie Stevenson declined to prosecute said former detective Robert Servacek.

"For 3 months 46 people were paraded in front of the grand jury in May of 1994, Miss Stevenson told me she had a two thirds vote of grand jury when you only need 50 percent to", he said. "However because Miss Stevenson was concerned she would not be able to convince a trial jury where a unanimous decision must be gotten she declined to indict", he said.

Servacek said the prosecutor's office has not taken the time to prepare a case against the man who they believe killed Miss Kirkpatrick. State's attorney Scott Rolle however said he does not believe his office has enough evidence to convict a suspect and he will not take the case to trial until he does. Rolle warned in a telephone conversation Monday that anyone who releases information about grand jury proceedings can be prosecuted and fined. Miss Stevenson refused to comment on the Case. Miss Kirkpatrick 17, was stabbed to death March at the former Aileen's ladies sportswear at 1019 W. Patrick St in the Westridge Square shopping Center a resident of Point of rocks she had been a part time employee for a month and was closing the store for the first time the night she was murdered.

Servacek, retired from the police department since July, said, "It is a real mystery to me why I can't get the State's Attorney's Office to to work this case the way I feel it should be. It always seems one thing after another interfering with proper preparation of the case." He said, "I do realize they're busy but so was I. For two years I have lived this case every day. Even though I am retired I think of the case daily. The overwhelming evidence goes through my mind constantly. And the baffling thing to me is why can't I get somebody to understand what happened and put the killer where he belongs. I have tried through two administrations to get them to understand that whoever is assigned this case can do nothing else. I need a prosecutor who will sit down with me five days a week eight hours a day for at least one month or so", Servacek said.

Servacek said he has no doubt who committed the murder and that if the truckload of circumstantial evidence in the case is presented properly a conviction can be obtained. "If you look at the entire case and the investigation and if people say what they said before and say it articulately, an indictment is from 200 to 250 pieces of circumstantial evidence exists in the case", said Servacek, "and when one piece is linked to another what you get is a picture of a but to do that it takes time", he said adding that the State's Attorney's office only met with him once a week for an hour for three months and that's not enough.

Doesn't sound to me like the police were trying to cover up for anything, because they were the ones adamant about prosecuting but the State's Attorney's office declined to do so. Also from that article, Servacek makes no bones about who he believes is responsible:

The suspect is in his mid to late 20s and lived in Frederick City with his family at the time Miss Kirkpatrick was murdered. The suspect was one of Tracey's acquaintances, a former coworker, and one in a circle of mutual friends but the suspect was a few years older. The suspect did not attend high school with Miss Kirkpatrick they said. "Jealousy, anger, and revenge", was the motive for Miss Kirkpatrick's murder said Servacek. "The anger which must have built up over a broken relationship must have been tremendous. Tracey considered the suspect a friend but only a friend. The suspect read too much into the relationship and wouldn't let it go. He continued pursuing her to the point where she finally tried telling him that she only wanted to be friends and nothing more and this he couldn't live for", Servacek said.

Don Barnes Jr. was 25 years old when Tracey was killed. This article above was written in 1995, meaning Barnes would have been in his early 30's at the time. I think there is another, unnamed suspect who Servacek believes killed Tracey, and that the Don Barnes angle was borne out of suspicions of him being the one who found the body and the timing of everything that night.

Don Barnes Jr. has been the number one suspect according to locals, even before the daughter started making accusations. There's also the Don name, roommate named Sean, lived in Walkersville where the call confession came in, etc. We've been down that road before.

What also was suspicious about Don is the hour and half time period from when he walked past the women's clothing store with Tracy being alive to discovering the body that he can't account for. This was a very small strip mall that was not very busy. He was the security guard. He could have walked that entire complex AND the women's clothing store about 30 times during that 90 minute window, yet he didn't notice the lights were still on until 10:30? It's been theorized (and brought up by the daughter) that he rushed home during this time to change into a different suit in order to come back and "discover" the body. If this is not true, why didn't he ever just say what he was doing? Did he sneak off for coffee? Did he go to his car and listen to the radio? I'd rather people think I was a slacker on the job than a killer.

The other most popular suspect is some student Tracy went to school with. Servacek believes HE is the killer and that politics and agenda kept him from getting arrested. What this guy's name is and where he was that night has never been revealed to the public, so it's harder to speculate about him. Maybe the documentary that's supposed to come out this year will shine some light.

Don Barnes Jr. has been the number one suspect according to locals, even before the daughter started making accusations. There's also the Don name, roommate named Sean, lived in Walkersville where the call confession came in, etc. We've been down that road before.

Right. I've always known that there were 2 suspects, and always assumed that it Barnes was the prime suspect. I always assumed that law enforcement was talking about him when speaking of prime suspects, and that he was the person who was under the grand jury investigation. He wasn't, and that is what shocked me.

What also was suspicious about Don is the hour and half time period from when he walked past the women's clothing store with Tracy being alive to discovering the body that he can't account for. This was a very small strip mall that was not very busy. He was the security guard. He could have walked that entire complex AND the women's clothing store about 30 times during that 90 minute window, yet he didn't notice the lights were still on until 10:30? It's been theorized (and brought up by the daughter) that he rushed home during this time to change into a different suit in order to come back and "discover" the body. If this is not true, why didn't he ever just say what he was doing? Did he sneak off for coffee? Did he go to his car and listen to the radio? I'd rather people think I was a slacker on the job than a killer.

I understand why Barnes is a suspect. He found the body, and as you said, has a very large window where he cannot be accounted for. Aside from this, there is nothing to suggest that Barnes even knew Tracey outside of your typical security guard/employee interactions that they may have had. This was Tracey's first night that she was closing ever at that store. We also don't know if Barnes' security company also patrolled the neighboring shopping centers.

The other most popular suspect is some student Tracy went to school with. Servacek believes HE is the killer and that politics and agenda kept him from getting arrested. What this guy's name is and where he was that night has never been revealed to the public, so it's harder to speculate about him. Maybe the documentary that's supposed to come out this year will shine some light.

This is why I am dying to know about this guy. Servacek was adamant that he was the killer. All we've ever really heard about was Don Barnes. But maybe this unnamed guy is a much better suspect. I just find it odd that Barnes was seen as a footnote until the age of the internet when people started to speculate about him and name him, and the biggest thing that I kept seeing was that he found the body, has an hour and a half of alleged unaccounted for time, and that his father was a county sheriff.

Finally some progress in the documentary being made about Tracy. First Covid delayed the project by almost a year. Then when the documentary was just about finished, some new info came in and new interviews had to be filmed.

As of now right now, the maker posted this two days ago.....

"Hi everyone. I’ve been very busy tying up loose ends with production. As I’ve said before, this began as a 2 hour documentary in mind, but expanded into what will be an 8 part series of half hour episodes. Being a one man band for almost all of it has been a tedious process. But I quickly realized that it would be once I began looking into what someone close to Tracey’s investigation called “a black hole”. However, thanks to everyone’s patience and support, all of this effort will provide a much needed light for Tracey."

https://www.facebook.com/SilentLandMovie

I worked with a guy who was a retired Maryland State Trooper working out of Frederick, MD (he was one of the arresting officers in the DC Sniper case). I asked him about Tracey Kirkpatrick. He said the case could have been solved rather quickly if the Frederick PD had done a better job. From what I understood, they had a reputation for sloppy/lack of investigation. They also delayed significantly in trying to get the MD state police involved.

Did he say he thought the security guard did it?

Tracey was murdered 33 years ago today. And her killer is still walking around free. :mad:

This note was left by the creator of her documentary, which is finally close to being finished. But still no release date...

Thirty three years ago today, Tracey Kirkpatrick was murdered in Frederick, MD. Her case is still unsolved. While filming for the upcoming documentary series I’m making about her, I visited the town of Industry, PA where Tracey grew up on a few occasions. The last time I was there, I went out with my camera on a very cold and overcast morning around the anniversary of her death. Aside from an occasional car that drove by, everything was quiet and still. I was the only one dumb enough to be walking around, freezing.

Then, as I was standing under a tree in the front yard of Tracey’s childhood home, this cardinal landed right above me. I remembered her mom Diane telling me that if a bird fell out of a tree, Tracey would bring it home and nurse it back to health. So, I spun my camera around to get a shot of it before it flew away. The cardinal kept looking at me as it hopped from branch to branch, just long enough for me to get a shot of it on camera. Then it flew off.
I didn’t think much of it at the time. It wasn’t until the past several months that I started noticing paintings, posters and other things that had an image of a cardinal sitting in a tree, very similar to this one. I wasn’t aware of it, but that image relates to a popular poem called As I Sit in Heaven. It’s about a person who has passed away wanting to tell loved ones not to grieve, but that they are ok and will always be watching over them. Tracey loved poetry. And the poem Remember, which is engraved on her gravestone, has the same theme.

Now, you can interpret this however you’d like. But in all my years of filming and taking pictures, I can’t recall ever being greeted by a cardinal like this. Yet, in the exact place where a girl who loved poetry lived with her family, and I’m there filming a documentary about her unsolved murder, a cardinal landed out of nowhere and looked right at my camera, giving me an image that’s just like the one from that poem…

www.intothesilentland.com

Tracy was murdered 35 years ago today.

I keep checking for the status of her documentary series (like I’ve been doing for the last 4 years) and updates are few and far between. The film maker hasn’t released any statements on Facebook since last June. I don’t know what’s taking so long. With today being the anniversary of her murder, I’m hoping he’ll say something.

I apologize if that has been mentioned before earlier in this thread, but I was watching some old episodes of Unsolved Mysteries last night and this segment was in one of them. At the very beginning after they read the Rossetti poem, Tracey's mom says:

Her and her boyfriend had just recently broke up and I guess she expressed her feelings through her writing.

The ex-boyfriend is never mentioned again. What I find interesting is that earlier in this thread, Martha Woodworth the psychic interviewed in the segment, says that she was the one who sent this case to UM and that is why they covered it. I know UM reminded everyone before every episode that the show was not a news program, but I feel like they only accepted this case as a segment because of the phone call confession and the psyhic angle...neither of which, IMO, have anything to do with actually solving this case. If Martha Woodworth's assertion that the man she spoke with over the phone was the same man who called in the hotline to confess is correct, then that means (according to the UM update) that police have ruled him out and the UM segment dedicated over half of its time to something that was useless.

I know they probably liked this case due to the psychic and possible confession angle, but we are told absolutely nothing about any potential suspects during the UM segment. Everything that has since been published about this case always goes back to Don Barnes Jr., the security guard who found her body, and allegations of a police coverup. Barnes Jr., IMO, should be at the very least a person of interest for being the one who found her body, but other than that, I do not see why or how the police would continue to coverup this murder 30+ years later because Barnes Jr. was related to a one time sheriff of Frederick County. Witnesses place Tracey alive and alone 15 minutes before the store was closed. The keys to the store were missing (a detail not mentioned on UM). IMO, the killer took the keys with the intention of locking the store, but realized the back door was a much better escape route where they could leave undetected. Nothing has ever been mentioned about her ex-boyfriend outside of about a week before her murder, Tracey was late to come home so her parents drove to the store and found her in the store talking to and apparently reconciling with her ex-boyfriend. Why this wasn't mentioned in UM is strange to me, because that could be a huge clue. She stayed late to talk to the ex-boyfriend a week before her murder, witnesses say she was alone in the store approximately 15 minutes before closing, which means that either her killer got extremely lucky to come in during that small time frame with no one noticing, or Tracey knew her killer and let him in. And outside of the interaction an employee of the strip mall would have with a security guard, there is no evidence that has ever come forward that shows Don Barnes Jr. knew Tracey at all, or to the point where she would have willingily unlocked the door and let him in. I would love to know more about this ex-boyfriend and whether or not he had an alibi that night.

I did not know until reading this thread that the security guard who found the body was named Don. That definitely makes the phone confession seem that little bit more credible IMO.