I just saw this story today did anyone else see this? A girl had been working the graveyard shift then went missing and then they later found out she wasn't the only girl that went missing. But the strangest thing is a clerk that nobody knew was working when she supposedly dissapered and nobody knew who he was? Was he the the abductor or just a guy? It was very weird was their any update on this?

I really want to know who this guy was.

Yah, I saw that, it was freaky. You'd think that by now someone would have seen a guy that looks like that description. One of my profs actually could pass for that guy, cept he has shorter hair.

i dunno if anyone here is familiar with the band slayer, but doesnt the guy in this segment wearing the megadeth shirt look like a jacked up muscular version of dave lombardo?

At first thought, you would assume that maybe he was her abductor (I believe her name was Debra Poe). But what was he doing in the store after the fact? No one heard anything in the back room, so she was probably already gone. I got to thinking, if he abducted her, why would he come back after he was done? I wondered if this guy just came in and saw no one was working and was going to take some things. Just a thought.

I agree, crystaldawn. If the guy in the Megadeath shirt had kidnapped her, he sure as heck wouldn't have stayed around or behind and let himself be seen like that. He probably noticed that nobody was in the conveniance store so he went behind the counter to try and steal the money from the cash register or something.

It's too bad they didn't have any secuirty camers from the parking lot and inside the store. I think most conveniance stores have them now.

Originally posted by dynoguy88
If the guy in the Megadeth shirt had kidnapped her, he sure as heck wouldn't have stayed around or behind and let himself be seen like that.

My theroy is that his staying behind was spontaneous. I speculate that he knocked Debra Poe unconscious, or at least overpowered her to the point where she couldn't escape or cry for help. Then upon hearing the customer approach the store, he quickly hid her, and pretended to be the store clerk. Once the customer was accomodated and had left the store, the man resumed his criminal deed.

Originally posted by Kane
My theroy is that his staying behind was spontaneous. I speculate that he knocked Debra Poe unconscious, or at least overpowered her to the point where she couldn't escape or cry for help. Then upon hearing the customer approach the store, he quickly hid her, and pretended to be the store clerk. Once the customer was accomodated and had left the store, the man resumed his criminal deed.

Yeah, I have a theory similar to this. The kidnapper could have an accomplice holding her hostage in a back room, or he could have had her bound and gagged back there or behind the counter. Who knows?

Yes I saw this, and this guy PROBABLY is/was not the killer/abductor of that lady.

He probably just walked in the store, found it empty, and walked around just like i would have probably done.

It doesnt fit the profile of an adbuctor to walk around and be seen by public and take the time to get somebody cigarettes, especially if the adbuctee (persumably still alive at the time) is left alone -- theyd try to escape.

So I think this guy was just somebody walking around.

Furthermore, it really inst possible that he had an accomplice holding her hostage because theyd both wanna get the heck out of there if that were the casem not dilly dally for an extra few minutes and walk casually around.

Is there anybody else who can confirm the "Megadeath" guy was in the store at the time other than the girl?? If not, I think the girl could have something to do with it. I don't know what to make of the Megadeath guy, his behaviour seems very unusual.

Any updates on this story?

Is there anybody else who can confirm the "Megadeath" guy was in the store at the time other than the girl?? If not, I think the girl could have something to do with it. I don't know what to make of the Megadeath guy, his behaviour seems very unusual.

Any updates on this story?

Let me guess..... this was just posted on youtube??
..well at least you used the search this time :happyface

I mentioned this before long ago, but it's hard to imagine why there were no security cameras in the store.

Was it common in 1990 for gas stations and conveniant stores to not have security cameras? I don't remember.

I've always leaned towards the Megadeath guy not being responsible.

If he is innocent, that must have been quite a predicament for him in the convienence store. He more or less would have encountered a double edged sword: on one hand, if he says to the customer that came in that he came in and there was no clerk, then the customer is probably going to think he is responsible, and is going to get out of there and call the police, who would subsequently question him and accuse him since he was the only one there and Poe had vanished. On the other hand, if he pretends to be the cashier, then he runs the risk of Poe coming back (which didn't happen, althought the guy might have rationalized that she was in the restroom or something) and believes he is stealing, and then she would have called the police. Would have been a no-win situation for him.

Here's why I don't believe the Megadeath guy is responsible: he just drew too much attention to himself. At one point he says "you shouldn't smoke cigarrettes, they're not good for you" or something like that. That's quite a memorable line, and I got the impression that the customer thought he was flirting with her. Plus, the Megadeath gear would be distinctive. I'm not sure if the clerks were required to wear uniforms or not. Plus, I believe he was quite tall and pretty well built. If he was guilty, he would probably would have figured that a customer could come in at any time and would get a look at him. He probably would have worn more plain clothes.

Interesting to note that we never see him opening the cash drawer. When the customer hands him the cash, he pretty much just sets it aside. I'm assuming there was no change, because the customer didn't get any. This could mean that he didn't want to seem like he was robbing the place in case Poe came back. Or it could mean that he had already cleaned it out and didn't want the customer to see it.

There is only one "A" in the word Megadeth! :rock:

Let me guess..... this was just posted on youtube??
..well at least you used the search this time :happyface

Yes. Sadly, the UM boxset is unavailable in Australia as far as I know. I cant find it in any stores. I've been told that it's been coded to only work in North American DVD Players or something.

There is only one "A" in the word Megadeth! :rock:

Another Megadeth fan? ;) They're old skool stuff kicks ass!

I never really thought about the Megadeth man not being responsible for the disappearance of Debra Poe. It's just generally assumed he did it but as previously mentioned, why would you hang around the scene of the crime? Or maybe he was interupted or entered the shop and finding the attendant missing, decided to perhaps steal some cash?



Yes. Sadly, the UM boxset is unavailable in Australia as far as I know. I cant find it in any stores. I've been told that it's been coded to only work in North American DVD Players or something.

So young... They are available at online DVD shops, Amazon or eBay, both US and AUS sellers stock them. Pretty cheap, I got the Ultimate Collection for around US $90 including priority postage. N yes they will play on any multi region player or a player that's been coded region free.

Another Megadeth fan? ;) They're old skool stuff kicks ass!

I never really thought about the Megadeth man not being responsible for the disappearance of Debra Poe. It's just generally assumed he did it but as previously mentioned, why would you hang around the scene of the crime? Or maybe he was interupted or entered the shop and finding the attendant missing, decided to perhaps steal some cash?

For sure, bro. The first four albums are all killer.

And I don't think he did it either. He probably just took the opportunity to swipe a few cases of beer and maybe some cash and that's when the other broad walked in. I doubt he had anything to do with Poe's disappearance at all.

For sure, bro. The first four albums are all killer.

And I don't think he did it either. He probably just took the opportunity to swipe a few cases of beer and maybe some cash and that's when the other broad walked in. I doubt he had anything to do with Poe's disappearance at all.

Hmm.. no doubt you'd have a couple of faded Megadeth shirts in the closet.... where were you at the time of the disappearances?!?!? :D

"Whadda ya think I'm broke, HAH"

Did you notice that the police said that nothing was missing or out of place but when the police went behind the counter there were things strewn all over the floor?

My theroy is that his staying behind was spontaneous. I speculate that he knocked Debra Poe unconscious, or at least overpowered her to the point where she couldn't escape or cry for help. Then upon hearing the customer approach the store, he quickly hid her, and pretended to be the store clerk. Once the customer was accomodated and had left the store, the man resumed his criminal deed.

My theory is very similar to Kane's. If you propose someone else is responsible for the disappearance, that really stretches probability, IMO. It would require a second person with strange/criminal motives and actions to show up in the same store in a very brief period of time. The simple and most likely explanation is what Kane described.

Why then, would the abductor/murderer stick around, pretend to fill the job of his abductee/victim and sell someone cigarettes?

It doesn't make sense for someone who'd do this, to stick around and take the chance of letting himself be identified later on after the fact.......

Hmm.. no doubt you'd have a couple of faded Megadeth shirts in the closet.... where were you at the time of the disappearances?!?!? :D

"Whadda ya think I'm broke, HAH"


Haha, well in 1990 I was 10 years old, so I think you can rule me out as a suspect! :cool:

Why then, would the abductor/murderer stick around, pretend to fill the job of his abductee/victim and sell someone cigarettes?

It doesn't make sense for someone who'd do this, to stick around and take the chance of letting himself be identified later on after the fact.......

Nobody said he stuck around for a long time. He may have been surprised by the interruption from the customer and had to launch an impromptu pretend mode as the cashier.

I'd argue it makes much less sense for the Megadeth guy to fill the role as the cashier if he's merely a greedy opportunist, and not an abductor. Why wouldn't he say, "hey, take whatever you want, there's no one here. That's what I'm going to do."

Because if he says that then the other person will possibly combine suspicion with a search of the premises, and that's the last thing Megadeth wants.

Hmm, I am torn on this one. I think why would Megadeath hang around the scene if in fact he was one that abducted Poe. But on the other hand if he didnt abduct Poe why would he pretend to be the clerk and stuff? I do think Awsi brings up a good point that I wouldnt have thought of otherwise and that is if Megadeath wasnt involved in Poe's abduction and if he in fact was just in there taking the opportunity to steal some beer and other stuff than why wouldnt he just tell the chick that came in "hey the clerk isnt here, take all the cigarettes you want!" I do now think that it is very likely that he was doing something to Poe in a backroom or something and he got surprised by the woman coming in. However that raises another point because when the woman came in he was already behind the counter so if he was in the back and she came in he would have had to walk from the back to the front. I dont know what to think here. I can see it either way where it could or couldnt be megadeath that abducted Poe. It is just that I think if he was just stealing some things and that was it that he wouldnt go out of his way like that to act like the clerk just to cover up a simple theft.

It's hard to evaluate truth based on the UM segments because you're never sure if they're exactly what happened. Even if the UM clip depicts the Megadeth guy behind the counter when the woman came into the store, can we be certain that was the case?

Plus, there could have been an alert system when someone pulled up in a car, a bell or something that went off in the back room, and that caused Megadeth to know he had company and he better get out front.

I'll continue to believe one person is more likely than the multiplexed alternative:

1) abduction and a clean getaway, no one seeing anything
2) Megadeth shows up shortly after #1, and instinctively launches his act even though he was not involved in the abduction and has no knowledge of it

I'll continue to believe one person is more likely than the multiplexed alternative:

1) abduction and a clean getaway, no one seeing anything
2) Megadeth shows up shortly after #1, and instinctively launches his act even though he was not involved in the abduction and has no knowledge of it

That could perhaps be the case though.........think of it, if you happen upon the scene, the place is empty and your just walking around waiting for the clerk......then someone else shows up.......that someone else could maybe figure you for a shoplifter, robber or some other similar nefarious character.

So.......you do what you have to, then after the customer leaves....you wait around for a few more mins. and after not finding anyone, you bolt.....

If this case is related to the others that were mentioned (the other disappearing clerks).........and there were no suspect descriptions from those cases.....then I would be more inclined to believe that the suspect would've indeed made a clean getaway and escaped detection just as he had before.

Megadeath

:rolleyes:

It could have happened that way. I'm always at the mercy of the small percentage course of events since I default in the other direction.

If Megadeth is not involved, I would expect him to be in a hurry. He has no idea where the clerk is. But if he's responsible and knows exactly what has taken place, then his priority is to take care of the unexpected customer as tamely as possible and get back to the abducted woman in the back room, or wherever she was.

I don't put a great deal of stock in his supposedly odd behavior in telling the woman she shouldn't smoke. It reminds me a little bit of the Angela Hammond abductor saying he didn't need to use the phone anyway. Cocky behavior by someone who has contemplated/strategized this act and now is in the midst of it. I'm sure plenty of them want to stand out and sweeten the trail of pursuit, even if subconsciously.

I don't put a great deal of stock in his supposedly odd behavior in telling the woman she shouldn't smoke. It reminds me a little bit of the Angela Hammond abductor saying he didn't need to use the phone anyway. Cocky behavior by someone who has contemplated/strategized this act and now is in the midst of it. I'm sure plenty of them want to stand out and sweeten the trail of pursuit, even if subconsciously.

Agreed. If this guy was a serial killer (who was responsible for the earlier abductions and so on) by the time he got to Debra Poe, he could've been fully desensitized and used to things, which is why the UM segment didn't portray him as jittery, nervous or anything like that.

Haha, well in 1990 I was 10 years old, so I think you can rule me out as a suspect! :cool:

....or so it seems.....;)

The Megadeth guy (Hey Dislimb, I got it right this time!) does at least one transaction. I have had instances where I have had to step away for a moment, and then come back and find a note that says "took so and so items, charge it to this room" or sometimes they leave a note and cash. I wonder if anything like this was ever found. If not, then I might lean more towards the Megadeth guy being guilty. A more honest character would have left a note/cash, although it's possible somebody else might have picked it up.

If you walked into a servo, and saw that it was empty, would you decide to go behind the cash register and begin serving customers just like that?

I believe Mr Megadeth is in on it.

If you walked into a servo, and saw that it was empty, would you decide to go behind the cash register and begin serving customers just like that?

I believe Mr Megadeth is in on it.

If the Megadeth man was involved in Debra Poe's disappearance, why did he leave the eyewitness alone?

He wasn't acting alone.

The way I believe it happened, is the first man (or group of men) kidnapped Debra. The second man posed as a worker so that none of the eyewitnesses who came in suspected that anything was wrong. The eyewitness that was interviewed by UM didn't suspect anything until later on anyway. He didn't do anything to any of the witnesses because his sole purpose of being there was to divert the attention away from the night's events. Plus they probably didn't want anymore blood on their hands.

Well actually two men are currently serving 25 years to life sentences in Florida prisons for the abduction, rape and murder of Donna Callahan that was one of the disapperances talked about on UM in the Poe segment. Apperantly in the mid 90's a man already serving a lengthy prison sentence confessed that he and his half-brother had abducted Callahan, raped and murdered her. He led them to the body I believe in 1995 or 1996. His half-brother had actually never even been in prison before this when he was arrested in connection with the Callahan murder 7 or 8 years after it happened. As I said, both are now serving 25 years to life in prison and neither of them look like the Megadeth (I got it right this time) composite.

William Wells was the man who confessed. Wells was serving a 30 year sentence for robbery and various other charges when he confessed that he and his half brother had abducted and murdered Donna Callahan. I believe Wells pled guilty and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Wells is currently 39 years old and is currently locked up at the Century Correctional Institution in Century, Florida near the Georgia border in the same county as Pensacola. Wells currently stands 5'10 and weights just under 150 pounds. The other man convicted with Wells in the Callahan homicide is his older half brother Mark Riebe. Riebe had never done prison time before he was arrested in 1997 in connection with the Callahan murder. Riebe was also sentenced to 25 years to life and turns 46 next month. Riebe stands currently at 5'7 and weighs 140 pounds and is currently locked up at the Gulf Correctional Institution in Wewahitchka, Florida. I dont think either of these guys were involved with Poe because they do not match the physical description of Megadeth.

Thanks for the update on the Callahan case, kadrmas. It was always a bit of a stretch to connect the three convenience store abductions, IMO. Florida is a fairly large state and those three cities mentioned in the UM segment are significantly apart. Gulf Breeze, where the Callahan abduction occured, is damn near in Alabama, on the edge of the Florida panhandle. That's several hundred miles from Orlando, which is in central Florida closer to the east coast, and where the Poe incident happened. Lake City, site of the other case, is in north central Florida not too far from the Georgia border.

If these abductions had occured in New England, for example, they could have been several states apart. It's like when people hear I live in Las Vegas and assume that's close to Reno. I'm actually much closer to Los Angeles than northern Nevada.

I think if the Megadeth guy is guilty, then he must have had at least one accomplice. It would be too risky for him to assume that there would be no customers coming into the convenience store.

Initially I don't think the Megadeth guy abducted her. I guess it would be nice to know how long of a time span there was between when Debra was last seen and when the Megadeth guy was in the store. (I can't remember if UM mentions it). If it was hours than I suppose the guy had time to abduct Debra, do something with her body and then return to the scene of the crime to rob the store. Also if the guy had just abducted Debra surely he knew eventually the police would be notified so why would he return to the store at the risk of having the police arrive and why would he leave the girl alone who came in to buy cigarettes? He would have had thoughts of wanting to silence her if he knew he had just abducted someone from that store and this girl comes in that could possibly identify him.

It stated that it could be verified that Debra waited on customers until 3:05, and the friend came in at 3:50 and noticed she wasn't there. So we're looking at a maximum of 45 minutes. I'm not sure if they stated what time the customer came in, that would help narrow it down as far as the timeframe goes.

I think if the Megadeth guy is guilty, then he must have had at least one accomplice. It would be too risky for him to assume that there would be no customers coming into the convenience store.

Exactly what i'm thinking. The initial kidnappers did the deed, where as Mr Megadeth stayed back and took it upon himself to run the store.

But then why did he leave before the friend of Debra's showed up??

It stated that it could be verified that Debra waited on customers until 3:05, and the friend came in at 3:50 and noticed she wasn't there. So we're looking at a maximum of 45 minutes. I'm not sure if they stated what time the customer came in, that would help narrow it down as far as the timeframe goes.

The customer said she came into the store at 3:30, basically midway through the missing 45 minutes.

These things unfold very quickly, much less time than is generally assumed. Normalcy to gone in scant minutes. We learned that, or should have, in the O.J. trial.

At 3:30 AM there's very little worry of a stream of traffic in a convenience store. It's possible the store was identified as a target due to location and not having security cameras.

My version is very basic: Megadeth did not have an accomplice. Robbery was not in the equation. After all, the segment says Poe's purse was in her car and still contained a small bit of cash, something like $25. I think he had already subdued Poe, who was probably in the back room. Since he wasn't ready to leave when the customer showed up, he had to take care of that briefly before departing.

I was surprised the UM segment didn't ask the customer if she saw more than one other car in the lot when she arrived. You would think a guy with a Megadeth shirt and a skull ring would have a car that stood out in some respect. I would guess he had the car parked strategically close to the store, perhaps near a side or rear entrance, to facilitate a quick and largely unseen escape.

I've been thinking about this case alot lately, and rewatched the segment yesterday morning. Originally I was leaning towards the Megadeth guy being innocent, but the more I think about it, and the more I read other posters good theories, I'm now starting to think he was either responsible, or played some part in it.

I've never worked in a convenience store, but I have worked in a grocery store, and I do know that the vast majority of customers in there are people that live close by. I would imagine the same would be true for convienece stores. So the fact that this Megadeth dude hasn't resurfaced by now and that seemingly no one recognizes him leads me to believe he's an out-of-towner, which makes me subsequently believe he more likely than not didn't have good intentions when he walked into the store.

Yes, I do not think the three are all related. I do think it is possible the same people might have done two of them but I think whoever did Poe's did not do Callahan's for sure, I do not think the two guys that did Callahan's did Poe's as I said earlier. Gulf Breeze is just across the bay from Pensacola and to get there from Pensacola would requre traveling across the Pensacola bay bridge. I think the brothers I talked about earlier were from Pensacola. I am pretty sure that the motive for Callahan's abduction was more not to leave a witness because I believe they robbed the convinence store. Although they might have been drunk and under the influence of drugs as well and that might have been the reason while the sexual assault and murder was committed. Although William Wells at the time was on supervised probation for burglary's and stuff and he probably knew if he got caught he would go to prison so he decided to snuff out the witness however Wells ended up going to prison for another robbery less than two years later. The brothers though I believe were either residents of Pensacola or the county that Pensacola is in so even driving to Lake City where the other abduction and murder occurred would have been a lengthy drive for them. Pensacola to Lake City would be an 4 or 5 hour drive probably. Pensacola to Orlando would probably be a 7 or 8 hour drive.

I've never worked in a convenience store, but I have worked in a grocery store, and I do know that the vast majority of customers in there are people that live close by. I would imagine the same would be true for convienece stores. So the fact that this Megadeth dude hasn't resurfaced by now and that seemingly no one recognizes him leads me to believe he's an out-of-towner, which makes me subsequently believe he more likely than not didn't have good intentions when he walked into the store.

That's a very interesting point. I was trying to think of when I've shopped at convenience stores and the only ones I could think of in recent years have been within blocks of where I live. Generally when my car was being serviced, or it was a holiday and the 24 hour grocery stores are closed. I remember that from Thanksgiving night.

It might be a bit different if the convenience store is near a highway or even a major statewide road. I wish UM had been a bit more specific in that regard, showing where the crimes occured with a map or significant detail as opposed to merely the city and time/day/year.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/Dislimb/MegadethGuy.jpg

You really shouldn't smoke, you know?

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/Dislimb/MegadethGuy.jpg

You really shouldn't smoke, you know?

:lol:

There we go.

I guess that we still don't have an update on this one, right?

no updates, the mystery clerk is a strong suspect, but I believe there is a chance that Eileen Mangold's killer also did these crimes as well, same area, same type of attack, etc.

Here's what gets me. Why would ring the girl with the cigarettes up if he was just another customer who happened to come in and find no cashier? Why not just say, "I'm not the cashier...I came in and no one was here." My guess is either he was probably going to take advantage of the oppurtunity of no cashier and steal something or maybe he was involved probably as an accomplice or lookout person.

Wiseguy, I never thought about Eileen Mangold's killer possibly being responsible for the disappearance of those conv. store workers. Interesting.

I'm still on the fence about whether the Megadeth guy is responsible for Debra Poe's disappearance. Its possible he went back to steal but you would think after having kidnapped and possibly killed someone he wouldn't go back in that vacant store but be long gone. He didn't even seem nervous when that lady walked in knowing that it would soon be known that Debra was missing and that the customer could possibly identify him.

Maybe it was just some dude who came in and saw a chance to live his life-long fantasy of being a convenience store clerk, if only for a moment, and grabbed it.

Maybe it was just some dude who came in and saw a chance to live his life-long fantasy of being a convenience store clerk, if only for a moment, and grabbed it.


Haha :lol:
My vote is a potential robber who saw the opportunity and was smart and acted the part of the clerk to avoid freaking people out.

I haven't seen this story in awhile....but as for them not being linked, I agree with kadrmas....though he's in MN, he's pretty familiar with my local area. I live in Mobile, AL an hour from Gulf Breeze (on the Gulf Coast) and it is quite a distance to Lake City 4-5 hrs and about 7 to Orlando. How far apart in time were these murders committed? I saw another poster had stated that there were separate people arrested for the crimes.

A much talked about case, but reading this page of posts leads me to post several new thoughts. I was and still am on the fence about this one.

As far as them being linked, I tend to think that they are. The far distance apart actually makes sense, in a way. These crimes were spaced not too far apart timewise, so if the criminal does them all in the same area, the chances of being caught go way up, as his luck is bound to run out sooner or later - the local police will be on the lookout for this guy bigtime, and the other convenience stores in the area would have probably been improving their security. And if it was the Megadeth guy, he's pretty distinctive looking, so if he lives and operates in the same area all the time, the risks of being identified go up.

Crystaldawn had a good point that I never considered before: that the Megadeth guy was calm. Very calm. Now the interesting thing is that the guy, whether he's a killer or robber or neither, has absolutely no idea of how many customers are going to come in. Perhaps none at all, but perhaps a flurry of activity. Granted, one wouldn't initally think 3 a.m. is going to be a busy time, but since it's probably one of the few stores in the area open at the time, you can expect some business throughout the night. What happens if the Megadeth guy has bad intentions, but runs into a busload of people making a middle-of-the-night stop for snacks or bathroom breaks or whatever, he risks being seen by tons of people. Yeah, a bit unlikely, but it would seem that he wouldn't want to leave it to chance. this leads me to other points...

Debra has never been found, and there were no signs of a struggle at the scene. This would lead me to believe that the abductor pulled a weapon on her quick, and got her out of there quick. Didn't waste time. This might suggest the Megadeth guy was not responsible, as the criminal is likely to get the heck out of dodge ASAP.

Furthermore, the Megadeth guy (like most people) would not have had any idea what surveillance cameras they have. This guy, we do know, spends several minutes in the store, and the segment suggest (although not necessarily true) that he roams the store, walking in just about every inch of the place. This would be highly risky for the Megadeth guy if he is the criminal, as he would have almost assuredly been picked up by the cameras if there were any.

Responding to ForeverPluto's point, there is actually a scenario where the Megadeth guy is innocent, but rings up the girl buying cigarettes. Assuming for a sec, that he's innocent, and then the girl come in. If he tells her "there's no cashier around", the girl is going to suspect him, she leaves, and then the guy is going to get freaked about being questioned, wrongfully accused, etc. Probably not something he wants to get involved with if he can avoid it.

Well in Donna Callahan's case, she was the clerk that disappeared from the store in Gulf Breeze, two men were later arrested for this crime, a man that was already doing prison time for some other crimes confessed in 1995, 1996, somewhere in there that him and his half brother had did the crime and I believe he led them to the body and took a plea bargain where he got a sentence of 25 to life. This guy's older brother was arrested a year or two later because he denied involvement and stuck to his story, eventually they did arrest him and he was convicted but was spared the death penalty and was given the same sentence as his half brother, 25 to life. I know that the cops have said that they believe that Donna Callahan was not the only woman these two killed.

There was a case in Texas a while back where virtually the exact scenario Kane envisioned actually happened, so it's not outside the realm of possibility. A guy stopped at a convenience store to get gas but the clerk couldn't seem to get the pump to work right. The customer went in and there was some kid in there behind the register who didn't seem to know what he was doing, but the customer was in a hurry so he just left.

Turns out the actual clerk (I can't remember anyone's name here, but it seems like she had two short last names) was dead or dying in the back room. For some reason, even though the police figured out who the kid was, they never were able to charge him so the case went cold and stayed that way until some new evidence turned up or something to that effect. I saw this on Cold Case Files years ago so I'm going by memory here, but the essential facts are correct.

Criminals aren't, on average, all that bright. Most often, when someone gets away with murder, it's due to sheer dumb luck and/or inexperience (and, rarely, outright incompetence) on the part of law enforcement. The Zodiac is a great example of the dumb luck and inexperience principles in action. ;)

Dynoguy asked if convenience stores were supposed to have cameras in 1990. While I don't know if it was common for them to have cameras in 1990, I can tell you that from 1997-2000 the convenience store I worked in did NOT have any sort of camera system.

...we just had a baseball bat behind the counter for protection. Lotsa fun! :)

A link to the case I mentioned above, with more details: http://www.texnews.com/1998/2000/local/file0717.html. The victim's name was Tracy Benge Sewell, and though her killer was identified within days, it took 16 years to bring him to trial.

Very interesting in light of the facts surrounding the Poe case (in my opinion, anyway).

Lotsa fun! :)

Especially the incident you told me about a while back, right!? :eek:

Have fun in Vegas, doll.

For those of you who may not have gotten Dislimb's comment, I'll clarify:

While working in a convenience store, I was robbed at gunpoint. I think I may have mentioned it in another thread, but there was no camera in the store at the time and police were never able to find the guy who did it.

There. Now you're all in the loop. :) And Vegas was super fun, Dislimb. Thanks. :)

And Vegas was super fun, Dislimb.

I love it when you call me Dislimb, LooksLikeCRicci.

Hee hee hee hee hee hee. :)

Does anyone happen to know the name of the actor who played the Megadeth dude in the segment?

From what I have heard about the two guys that are serving life in prison for Donna Callahan's murder, it is my opinion that wasnt the only woman those two killed. But again, whether or not they were involved in the other two women's abductions is anyone's guess, I would lean towards no, but anything is possible. It is just that the drive is so long between all of them, that I just dont know if they are all related.

Mark Riebe is one of the men convicted in this case, he was convicted in 1998of the 1989 murder of Donna Callahan and he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. It appears Riebe and his younger half brother who also was convicted of murder in the death of Callahan are from northwestern Florida and have always lived there.

Riebe could have done all three of the abductions in question as before he was arrested for the murder in 96 or 97, he had never had any real serious trouble with the law, other than a 1993 conviction for forgery which he was given 3 years probation for. Riebe's half brother, William Wells III was serving a 5 year sentence for burglary and grand theft when he confessed his involvement in the Callahan abduction, rape and murder. Wells pled guilty and was sentenced to a concurrent 25 year to life sentence.

Wells had been arrested on his original charges in May of 1991 and had b een in custody ever since but he had never been in prison before that so it was possible for him to have been involved in other abductions before that time with his brother. All of Wells convictions occured in northwest Florida in Walton, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties.

Not to make fun of a serious kidnapping, but does anyone else think that Deborah Poe's friend interviewed for UM is hot?

Not to make fun of a serious kidnapping, but does anyone else think that Deborah Poe's friend interviewed for UM is hot?

I also have a "UM crush". I think Heath from the Vess Family segment is such a cutie! I've always had a crush on him, major babe.

This is one of those cases, where the re-enactment could make this case confusing.

1. Was "Megadeth" surprised when he saw the customer come in or was he calm as the re-enactment showed?
2. Did he indeed open the register or not? Was the money to pay for the cigarettes left at the scene?
3. Was anything stolen or missing from the register or inventory?

Innocent or not, Megadeth should be pursued because he is either the killer or the first person on the scene and may have info on this case.

Megadeth might simply have been a guy who was impatient about waiting for someone to service him and may have just decided to get cigarettes behind the counter and leave the cash. He may have serviced the customer as a courtesy. Was the money to pay for the cigarettes left at the scene?

What about the friend who visited with Deborah earlier in the evening, then returned to find the store empty? Can his whereabouts be accounted for? An abductor known to Deborah might explain the lack of evidence of a struggle at the scene; Megadeath guy being a shoplifter chanced upon in the middle of a theft by cigarette girl

Also, was the folded work smock Deborah's, or did it belong to another employee? This would be important in that it might confirm/disconfirm the theorized non-struggle at the scene

Well, personally, the folded work smock I have always found it confusing. It almost makes me wonder if someone that knew her kidnapped her. At first I overlooked the friend but looking at it more, I agree, were his whereabouts during the time in question ever looked at? He seemed to be hanging around this service station during some rather odd hours. I am not accusing the guy of doing anything but it does seem a bit odd. I would assume his circumstances during the time in question were accounted for although this was not mentioned in the segment.

I wondered about the neatly folded smock too. Was Deborah Poe a smoker? Maybe she stepped outside for a cigarette break or something, left her smock inside, and she was abducted at that point. But if it was Megadeth who did it, why would he have even gone into the store? Unless he was out to rob it in the first place, that doesn't quite fit. There probably were 2 people involved.

I thought I remembered reading something that police bloodhounds had trailed her scent to the parking lot, and then it just disappeared, like Deborah had gotten into a car. I want to say it's on her Doe Network page.

EDIT: It is. Here's the link:

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1076dffl.html

Not to make fun of a serious kidnapping, but does anyone else think that Deborah Poe's friend interviewed for UM is hot?

Lori Tillman, the love of StackTime's life. :love:

;)

Lori Tillman, the love of StackTime's life. :love:

;)


Ohh Meg, I can't deny that....even though she's got to be a bit older than me by now...hm she does seem like the type that ages nicely...OK, OK I'll stop :talk:

Just an addendum. Porchlight has submitted a potential match of UID remains with Deborah Poe:

http://doenetwork.org/cases/117uffl.html

Deborah's Charley Project page for reference:

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/p/poe_deborah.html

Well, the dude wearing the Megadeth shirt certainly is suspicious, but I don't know that I'm convinced that he had something to do with Debra's disappearance. I'd like to know more about the encounter that the witness had with him.

When she first came into the market, was he already behind the counter? did he seem startled or unnerved by her presence? I know that the UM segment portrayed the guy as being very calm, but who knows if that was just how the actor decided to portray him or if it was based on the statement from the witness.

It is possible that he was simply opportunistic and planning to take some freebies from the unattended market. The woman came in and caught him messing around behind the counter, and he had to play clerk to get her out of there without a scene. I'm not saying that I would do such a thing if presented with a similar situation, but if I put myself in his shoes, it seems like the smartest thing to do.

Or, like some of the other fine posters have suggested, perhaps he was the abductor/killer. He could have had Debra subdued in the back and came out to get rid of the customer so that he could get the heck out of dodge with his victim.

Either way, poor Debra. How sad that her case is still unsolved. :(

On a less serious note, was I the only one who noticed that the guy portraying the mystery man was HUGE? Dude had to be over six foot and was ripped! Made me chuckle when Robert Stack noted that he was described as being 5'10", because that sure didn't fit with the actor's appearance!

Has anyone considered that maybe Poe was subdued or dead by Megadeth's feet. If he was behind the counter when the customer came in, Poe might have been as well? That would explain, if he is the killer/kidnapper, why he would stick around to wait on a customer.

Hmm, unlikely IMO. He's a vagrant, a common thief IMO. Maybe he's the killer who knows, but he sure had a unique look to him. If he's the killer why does he let himself have a conversation with a customer? Plus he's raggedly looking, he looks like he belonged to a garage band. Is he really going to change his entire look? Would he risk that by getting caught by a customer?

This is a convenient store in the middle of the night. The people that show up at that time arent always "salt of the earth" people. He was likely a thief.

When she first came into the market, was he already behind the counter? did he seem startled or unnerved by her presence? I know that the UM segment portrayed the guy as being very calm, but who knows if that was just how the actor decided to portray him or if it was based on the statement from the witness.

I agree. I would like to get a more accurate account of Megadeths actions and appearance when she walked in on him.

I tend to believe that Megadeth is the killer, because his politeness and accomadating manner seems in line with a person looking for a new victim.

Hmm, unlikely IMO. He's a vagrant, a common thief IMO

Sure he could be a common thief. But he could also be a common thief that killed Debra Poe as well. He may have been on drugs, tried to rob the store and shot Debra in a panic.

Guilty or not, Megadeth is a witness and he should be found.

Has anyone considered that maybe Poe was subdued or dead by Megadeth's feet. If he was behind the counter when the customer came in, Poe might have been as well? That would explain, if he is the killer/kidnapper, why he would stick around to wait on a customer.

That's an interesting possibility that I don't think has been mentioned. I never thought to think of it myself. I think it's certainly plausible--and as ms_bates stated earlier, there's no way of really knowing if he seemed calm, as in the reenactment, or nervous (I find, however, UM usually does an exceptional job of portraying events nearly just as they actually happened. Who knows, though).

Sure he could be a common thief. But he could also be a common thief that killed Debra Poe as well. He may have been on drugs, tried to rob the store and shot Debra in a panic.

Guilty or not, Megadeth is a witness and he should be found.

Agreed.


I recall reading that a bloodhound had actually traced Debra's scent to the parking lot in front of the store, and that he just stopped there--like maybe she'd been picked up in a car. This is what gets me about the possibility of abduction within the store itself:

1. Convenience stores are very brightly lit within. Everything that goes on can be seen by those who pass by--and apparently, this is a pretty hoppin' place in the early morning hours: Debra's friend dropped by twice, she waited on customers, a woman came in at 3:30 to buy cigarettes. Why take the risk of a passerby noticing something, or a customer walking in? Then again, the Thrill Killer in Sacramento didn't seem to be troubled by that notion at all.

2. That store is not a very big one at all. It's a Circle K, and its approximate address can actually be found on her Charley Project page. I looked it up on Google Earth one day and it's tiny--which is why I wonder if there's even a backroom in there with enough room for an abductor and victim.

3. There were absolutely no signs of struggle. That would possibly support the abducted-in-the-parking-lot scenario.

It might be possible that Mr. Megadeath had an accomplice if he was indeed part of the crime. He could have had a buddy hiding behind the counter holding a gun to Debra's head telling her not to make a sound when the woman walked in to buy cigarettes at 3:30. That could explain why there was no blood or signs of a struggle in the store and why Megadeath guy looked nervous. You then wait for the coast to be clear, take her in your car and that's that. It's disturbing to think about but it's possible. (Or maybe I've watched too many action movies.)

I still can't wrap my head around there being no surveillance cameras at the store. You'd think all conveniant stores by 1989 would have had them. And this didn't take place in the country in central Iowa either. This happened right outside Orlando, Florida!

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h24/Dislimb/MegadethGuy.jpg

You really shouldn't smoke, you know?

Anyone think this looks like Richard Grieco?

I honestly think this mystery man had to be involved in some form. Why would an innocent person simply feel it necessary to stand behind the counter when he had nothing to do with the disappearance? "Oh, the clerk's not here, I guess I'll do that job". I don't buy it. I would have guessed he might have seen the store unsupervised and decided to rob it (jumping behind the counter to detract suspicion) but nothing was noted as being missing from the store. I think he was involved, somehow overpowered her, and sold cigarettes to the customer to avoid suspicion, then abducted the clerk.

Anyone else find it odd that Debra's friend came by the store at 3am and then the next time he came by at 3:50am she was gone. Does the friend have something to do with her disappearance? I just can't see why a person would hang out at a convenience store TWICE in the middle of the night for no particular reason. Shouldn't he be sleeping or working?

It likely wasn't him because there was an obvious pattern of convenience store clerks that had gone missing in Florida in a 6 month span, but still it is weird

Anyone else find it odd that Debra's friend came by the store at 3am and then the next time he came by at 3:50am she was gone. Does the friend have something to do with her disappearance? I just can't see why a person would hang out at a convenience store TWICE in the middle of the night for no particular reason. Shouldn't he be sleeping or working?

It likely wasn't him because there was an obvious pattern of convenience store clerks that had gone missing in Florida in a 6 month span, but still it is weird

Not really. I mean, you and I might not be going to qwk-e-marts at 3am, but that might be perfectly normal for some people, and it's certainly not unusual that someone working the graveyard shift might ask a friend to check in on them. The segment doesn't give any reason to suspect him, and we can presume LE would absolutely have checked him out and cleared him.

Not really. I mean, you and I might not be going to qwk-e-marts at 3am, but that might be perfectly normal for some people, and it's certainly not unusual that someone working the graveyard shift might ask a friend to check in on them. The segment doesn't give any reason to suspect him, and we can presume LE would absolutely have checked him out and cleared him.

Especially if the individual is in a profession that frequently means late or early hours, and even more especially if that person is self-employed. Debra and her friend were discussing house plans, and the UM portrayal seemed to indicate that he may have been a contractor or architect. Being that he himself came to consult with Debra (coupled with the time), it might be deduced that he answers only to himself. Debra was working two full time jobs in 1990. He might not have had any convenient time to meet with her during the day. There's any number of speculative reasons one can come up with--but for me personally, I don't find his being there odd at all.

I honestly think this mystery man had to be involved in some form. Why would an innocent person simply feel it necessary to stand behind the counter when he had nothing to do with the disappearance? "Oh, the clerk's not here, I guess I'll do that job". I don't buy it.

I agree. Most likely he is the murderer.

The Debbie Poe case always intrigued me. When I first moved to Florida in 1992 I would read the Orlando Sentinel daily. Every day in the classifieds section right at the very beginning was a message to Debbie from her parents telling her they still loved her and they would never stop looking for her.

When I got a job at the Orlando Sentinel I ran into a reporter who had been there for years. I mentioned to him over lunch the ad I had seen in the classifieds and he told me he had covered the story when it happened and how her parents spent a lot of money to make sure the ad appeared at the very top of the classifieds every day for 10 years. After 10 years the ads stopped abruptly and have never appeared since. He wasn't sure if they bought a 10 year block of time or her parents passed away and that was why they stopped, but the case always made him sad because he said her parents were good people who wanted to know what happened to their daughter.

He said for a while around the anniversary of her disappearence her parents would take out a bigger ad to draw attention to the fact that she was still missing.

Just a puzzling case. There are NO answers. There was never any indication of Debra being involved with the wrong people. There were no cameras. There was no evidence of a struggle, nothing. Plus there were no witnesses save for the woman who may or may not have bought cigarettes from Debra's abductor. This is a true case of someone vanishing into thin air without a trace.

Even people like Wendy Camp, Angela Hammond etc. at least had witnesses (and suspects) of their last whereabouts and there is at least a theory that can be broken down. Not so much with Debra

I however am one that believes that the three cases of the missing women in Florida from the gas stations are NOT connected. The one involving Donna Callahan, she disappeared from a store in Gulf Breeze, Florida, right across the bay from Pensacola in the panhandle of Florida. Pensacola is around 430 miles away from Orlando. Two men were eventually charged and convicted of Donna Callahan's murder and both were sentenced to life in prison. It was not until 6 or 7 years after she disappeared that they were charged. The other woman was in Lake City, Florida which is just under 300 miles east of Pensacola and about 130 miles north of Orlando.

But yeah, I do find it strange that the mystery clerk was just hanging around in there and my guess is that he probably was the murderer. I imagine Debra's friend was investigated as a suspect as by his own admission he was at the gas station less than an hour before she is thought to have disappeared. However I really do not find it all that unusual that he was there even at that time of the night. I used to go visit friends at their places of employment at odd hours too when they worked at Wal-Mart.

I however am one that believes that the three cases of the missing women in Florida from the gas stations are NOT connected. The one involving Donna Callahan, she disappeared from a store in Gulf Breeze, Florida, right across the bay from Pensacola in the panhandle of Florida. Pensacola is around 430 miles away from Orlando. Two men were eventually charged and convicted of Donna Callahan's murder and both were sentenced to life in prison. It was not until 6 or 7 years after she disappeared that they were charged. The other woman was in Lake City, Florida which is just under 300 miles east of Pensacola and about 130 miles north of Orlando.

Me neither. I'm also of the opinion that the abductions investigators wanted to tie to Angela Hammond's are not connected either.

Also, I found the killer's names, I had forgot them but here they are. William Wells, now 42 years old and was 22 at the time Donna Callahan disappeared and as it turns out was murdered. Wells can be best described as a career criminal. In fact ironically, at the time of the murder he was actually on probation for burglary and grand theft. He has a felony record stretching back to when he was 20. 4 months after the murder he was arrested again for burglary and grand theft and was then released on bail. He was actually arrested again while out on bail for burglary and grand theft but was released on bail again and remained out on bail until May of 1991 when he was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment as well as armed robbery. He was later sentenced to 30 years in prison on all of those charges. If you count the murder charge, he has no fewer than 12 felony convictions.

Anyway, I guess while in prison for the 30 year stretch for robbery, Wells decided to try to make himself big on the prison totem pole and was boasting to other inmates about how he killed a gas station clerk in Gulf Breeze and how he had never been charged with it. Well his fellow inmates ended up ratting him out to Santa Rosa County, Sheriff's Detectives to get their own time reduced. Wells was indicted in 1995 on charges of kidnapping and first degree murder. He later pled no contest to the charges in exchange for a life sentence. A condition of the plea deal was that he had to lead investigators to the body. This is William Wells: http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ActiveInmates/detail.asp?Bookmark=1&From=list&SessionID=544136792

Meanwhile in 1996, when he let police to Donna Callahan's remains, Wells unleashed a bomb shell. He said that his half brother Mark Riebe had also been involved. Riebe was indicted in 1997. In 1998 he was convicted of first degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Riebe has gone back and forth, on some things claiming he is innocent and that his brother Billy Wells is the real and only killer and that his brother lied about his (Riebe's) involvement to save himself from a death sentence. Interestingly, before his 1997 arrest when he was 36 years old, Riebe had had no major run ins with the law and no felony convictions. Riebe though has sometimes claimed that he is a serial killer, he says this to other inmates I guess, because he has at times claimed that he killed 3, 4, 5 other women and then other times it turns into 13, 14, 15 other women. However when the cops confront him, he either denies he is a killer at all or he claims he is responsible for every unsolved case so they do not know what to think of him.

However the reason I bring this is up is among the people that Riebe is suspected of killing? None other than Pamela June Ray. In fact Riebe has confessed to at least three homicides including Ray's however in each instance while he revealed things in the three cases that took place in 1986, 1990 and 1992, that were not revealed to the general public, when he is confronted hard on it he has always recanted the statements and shifted the blame to his brother Billy Wells. Anyway, this is what Mark Riebe looks like.http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ActiveInmates/detail.asp?Bookmark=1&From=list&SessionID=544136811

This is an article about what he said about the cases: http://www.newsherald.com/news/riebe-2982-investigators-case.html

But yeah, I do find it strange that the mystery clerk was just hanging around in there and my guess is that he probably was the murderer. I imagine Debra's friend was investigated as a suspect as by his own admission he was at the gas station less than an hour before she is thought to have disappeared. However I really do not find it all that unusual that he was there even at that time of the night. I used to go visit friends at their places of employment at odd hours too when they worked at Wal-Mart.

Some of my friends who were night-owls themselves came to visit me regularly when I was working the graveyard shift in a convenience store. So it is indeed not unusual.

As for the mystery clerk, either way I am not convinced. Yes, it was in the middle of the night, but even in my corner of country there were periods of customer rush at around 3AM, after the bars close.

And it is in a remote region in cold Quebec, imagine in Florida which is warm more or less all year long.

It is not impossible that this guy just happened to enter in an empty store, saw no camera around, and came behind to counter to see if he could steal money and smokes just as the witness arrived to buy her cigarettes. Caught on the scene, he had to act as a clerk to keep pretenses.

After that, probably he couldn't open the cash register (which has, like all registers, emergency systems to lock it up without any possibility of opening them without codes or equipment), gave up, took what he could bring and left.

And I believe her work uniform was neatly folded even before she was abducted. Perhaps she decided to not wear it that night, or took it off to take some air or a smoke outside. If I were a robber or a sex predator, I wouldn't lose time forcing her to neatly fold her blouse, because each second is a second that a witness might come in and ruin the whole thing.

Hell, for what we know she might have been abducted outside the store, not inside. Hence the lack of evidence inside.

It is not impossible that this guy just happened to enter in an empty store, saw no camera around, and came behind to counter to see if he could steal money and smokes just as the witness arrived to buy her cigarettes. Caught on the scene, he had to act as a clerk to keep pretenses.

1.Why didn't he steal the cash register though?
I assume there was nothing missing from the register..can that be verified?

2. If this guy is criminal inclined to rob the place...would it be that much of a stretch for him to kill Debra too in the robbery process?

3. If he is a robber, and not the murderer....it means there are potentially two felons out their that both need to be arrested. The Megadeth guy may be just as dangerous as Debra Poe's killer.

1.Why didn't he steal the cash register though?
I assume there was nothing missing from the register..can that be verified?

2. If this guy is criminal inclined to rob the place...would it be that much of a stretch for him to kill Debra too in the robbery process?

3. If he is a robber, and not the murderer....it means there are potentially two felons out their that both need to be arrested. The Megadeth guy may be just as dangerous as Debra Poe's killer.

It's not impossible he was an innocent, but I agree that it doesn't make much sense given the lack of robbery. Of course, it doesn't make much sense to go to a store to abduct, kill and/or rape and wait on a customer while you happen to be there either.

1.Why didn't he steal the cash register though?
I assume there was nothing missing from the register..can that be verified?

2. If this guy is criminal inclined to rob the place...would it be that much of a stretch for him to kill Debra too in the robbery process?

3. If he is a robber, and not the murderer....it means there are potentially two felons out their that both need to be arrested. The Megadeth guy may be just as dangerous as Debra Poe's killer.

1. Either he was on foot or on a motorcycle, or just not inclined to weight himself with a cash register, or walking out with the cash register might attract wanted attention. Or, maybe, he just didn't think about it.

I do not know Florida, though, so I don't know if people circulate heavily in the area even in the middle of the night.


2. Actually, yes it would. Committing what amounts to shoplifting is a very different from murdering a clerk to take out the money. You are comparing murder with jaywalking.

From experience and varying studies that I know, homicide during robberies in convenience stores happen when amateurs commit the hold-up, either because the suspect is nervous and trigger-happy and/or heavily intoxicated. Instances where the suspect murders the clerk outright to commit the hold-up are very, very, very rare - and mostly involve thrill killing. Professional robbers elect NOT to kill or harm the clerk because the legal punishment if caught is far heavier than after simply committing armed robbery.

If the intent was to rape and kill Debra Poe, and not stealing, why remain on the scene and be seen by witnesses, or even risk being face to face with the police? On the contrary, you'd want to spend as little time on the scene as possible, optimally by committing the crime elsewhere where she might not be heard. In that case, abduction is the obvious method available - and the least risky.

The only alternative I see, is that the mystery clerk was told to remain in the store as a sentry or a watcher, while the accomplices took care of her in the backstore. But again, no evidence of a struggle was found in the backstore either. And it would be nonsense to leave a liability - the accomplice - there alone to pick him up later after the rape/murder was committed.


3. He might be, or he might not be.

I knew plenty of rocker type of guys who wore Slayer or Megadeth t-shirts and who committed shoplifting and opportunity petty crimes, but were overall quite correct people with some limits of conscience. :p

I mean, even grandmas can steal little stuff if they feel they can't be caught, or little children stealing candies.

And at least it would be a misdemeanor, because no aggression or threat of bodily harm happened - unless of course, he is directly involved with Debra Poe's disappearance. And we cannot even prove he actually stole something in the store. However, he would definitely be a person of interest for the police in the case of Debra Poe and, as in this case, a suspect.

1. Either he was on foot or on a motorcycle, or just not inclined to weight himself with a cash register, or walking out with the cash register might attract wanted attention. Or, maybe, he just didn't think about it.

I do not know Florida, though, so I don't know if people circulate heavily in the area even in the middle of the night.


In that area, yes, it's pretty heavily traveled day and night.

This case just confuses me. Why would some random guy just pop in behind the counter if he didn't have anything to do with it. The only thing I can think of if he wasn't involved was he saw the store empty and was going to rob it but someone walked in on him. The area being highly traveled he decided to say forget it and leave rather than being caught by someone else.

But something about the story makes me think he had something to do with it.

In that area, yes, it's pretty heavily traveled day and night.

This case just confuses me. Why would some random guy just pop in behind the counter if he didn't have anything to do with it. The only thing I can think of if he wasn't involved was he saw the store empty and was going to rob it but someone walked in on him. The area being highly traveled he decided to say forget it and leave rather than being caught by someone else.

But something about the story makes me think he had something to do with it.

It all amounts to a coincidence in time, really. The two cases are so closely timed, than it seems reasonable to seek a link between the two. But of course, correlation doesn't equal causation.

Basically, the mystery clerk arrived in minutes after the abductors took Debra Poe and left the scene. He could have been the first in the store, or even not. If he had arrived five minutes earlier, he might have been shot, or found dead near the store, or abducted himself. Or the abductors might have fled and he would have saved Debra Poe's life.

In segments we see people arriving at the bad moment quite a lot of time (I-70 Killer, Sacramento Thrill Killer, etc.). This time, the mystery clerk arrived at the even worse moment - after the events. He was probably as befuddled as most people coming in before Debra's friend arrived and called the police. And the last thing he would want in this case is to put himself in trouble, either by leaving outright or, if he is inclined to commit petty crimes, by exploiting the situation and pretending to be a clerk to be left alone until he is done.

or just not inclined to weight himself with a cash register

When I meant "walk away with the register" I meant empty it. Something that he could very well have done. (I can;t imagine the register was that high tech that he couldn;t open it.

or at least walk away with cartons of cigarettes. Cigarettes are almost like cash in hand.(even back then)

Heck get himself some free gas.:(

2. Actually, yes it would. Committing what amounts to shoplifting is a very different from murdering a clerk to take out the money. You are comparing murder with jaywalking.

No, I'm comparing robbery to murder in that both usually require the brandishing of a weapon to commit the deed.

Your making the assumption that this guy just took advantage of a situation and did an unarmed ad-hoc heist because nobody was near the counter.
Your the actually comparing robbery to jaywalking.

I really think your giving Megadeth dude a little too much credit. If he was there he was up to no good. He was either there to rob the place or committ murder/rape. In either case I wager that it wasn't his first foray.


The point I'm trying to make is your already down the road and path of Megadeth being criminally inclined.

Other than innocent till proven guilty, what prevents you from believing he's capable of murder?

In segments we see people arriving at the bad moment quite a lot of time

Yes, but usually they come forward and interview or are victims themselves. If any of those people did not come forward...they have to be considered POIs.

In segments we see people arriving at the bad moment quite a lot of time (I-70 Killer, Sacramento Thrill Killer, etc.). This time, the mystery clerk arrived at the even worse moment - after the events. He was probably as befuddled as most people coming in before Debra's friend arrived and called the police. And the last thing he would want in this case is to put himself in trouble, either by leaving outright or, if he is inclined to commit petty crimes, by exploiting the situation and pretending to be a clerk to be left alone until he is done.

1.I need to be refreshed on this case..how do we known that Megadeth was the one that called 911?

2. If he wanted no trouble why didn;t he just leave? Why further implicate yourself by lying to a customer and staying even longer. Why would he not be worried that someone else was going to rob the place?

3. Why did he come in the store in the first place?? To get gas? Get cigs? Is anything missing from the inventory.

4. Why does he have to lie to the woman. Why not say "I've been here for a while, doesn;t look like anyone is around" I'll just leave my money and take what I need." Why does he need to go through this "salesperson" role play??

The only reason to do so is to make the woman feel that nothing is out of place. Meaning he has something to hide.

Very interested ideas here. You know, I had never thought that Debra may have gone out for a smoke (did she smoke I wonder)? If so, she could have been abducted outside, hence no signs of a struggle, etc.

I tend to think that that mystery clerk was just there messing around. Think about it: He walks in, sees no one is there, maybe starts to think about the possibilities... in walks an attractive girl, he asks her what she wants, seems kind of flirty, gets HER money (however small it was) and bolts. I think he might have been as perplexed as everyone else, and I don't think it's automatic that he would have said "he no one's here! Let's rob the store."

Plus, mastermind, the guy may have not been looking to burglarize the place... he was poking around behind the counter, probably thinking "what the f?", and in walks the chick. Then he leaves, period.

I'm starting to think that Debra was smoking, or taking the trash out, or something, and she was grabbed.

Very interested ideas here. You know, I had never thought that Debra may have gone out for a smoke (did she smoke I wonder)? If so, she could have been abducted outside, hence no signs of a struggle, etc.

Great point, man. I have read that bloodhounds tracked her scent to the parking lot, where it apparently suddenly vanished. I always wondered how she was lured into the parking lot, but it honestly never occured to me she could've gone out to smoke (and I AM a smoker :lol: ). And maybe that explains the work smock. Perhaps it stayed at the convenience store to be worn by some other employee on a different shift, and Debra didn't want to get strong tobacco odor on it.

Yes, as a smoker too (I love the Marlboro Reds) but anyway this never occurred to me either for some reason. I am surprised it did not but I guess it is because it was never mentioned that Debra smoked. IF she smoked than the chance of her being randomly abducted from the parking lot than the chances that the person that abducted her never even entered the store go up dramatically. I mean why go in if you already had abducted her? You would want to get out of there as quickly as possible. Her taking off the work smock also makes sense in this regard because as Meg the Egg mentioned, in addition to not wanting the smock to reek of tobacco smoke she also would not want it to be wrinkled.

Don't you know smoking is bad for you!?!?!?! ;)

Anyways, the blood hounds were brought in, and picked up her scent at the apartment building next to hers, so this leads me to believe someone she knew had something to do with it.

Was the "friend" the guy in the episdoe or was that just an actor playing him?

I tend to think that that mystery clerk was just there messing around. Think about it: He walks in, sees no one is there, maybe starts to think about the possibilities... in walks an attractive girl, he asks her what she wants, seems kind of flirty, gets HER money (however small it was) and bolts.


You're right...I think this case had a minor update recently stating that the Megadeth guy's presence was a coincidence and he seemed to be a random stranger, not connected to the attack.

1.I need to be refreshed on this case..how do we known that Megadeth was the one that called 911?
that's a good queston
3. Why did he come in the store in the first place?? To get gas? Get cigs? Is anything missing from the inventory.
yeah, that's another question i have, did he steal anything??? money, gas, candy? i doubt he was there as a innocent man just looking for the clerk.
4. Why does he have to lie to the woman. Why not say "I've been here for a while, doesn;t look like anyone is around" I'll just leave my money and take what I need." Why does he need to go through this "salesperson" role play??
That's my biggest problem though. If he's an innocent man, why is he as Mastermind put it, "role playing" the salesperson??? i doubt this was his boyhood dream. and i agree, if he's innocent, why not just leave the money on the counter, why does he lie to a woman??? if he's so innocent, he tells this woman, i can't find the clerk, we better call someone.
The only reason to do so is to make the woman feel that nothing is out of place. Meaning he has something to hide.
agreed, this Megadeth guy has something to hide, maybe he didnt kill Debra Poe, but i think he was up to something.

While I acknowledge that many criminals are not smart, I think that if I was planning to commit a serious crime like murder, kidnapping or a rape in a public place, I would wear very non-distinct clothing. I certainly wouldn't wear a shirt featuring the logo of a very famous band because that make it a lot easier for any witnesses to remember me!

This is why I tend to lean toward Megadeth guy not being involved in Debra's disappearance. The fact that this person has achieved so much immortality around here as "Megadeth guy" kinda proves my point :lol:

But what if the crime was not premeditated? What if this mystery clerk saw his chance at seeing the clerk alone and no one around and took action? Perhaps this is why he was dressed indiscreetly. I have a big problem with him standing behind the counter and selling the cigarettes. I don't see a big guy (who seems pretty sure of himself) needing a fix and role playing behind the counter. That's just my take. Of course, he could have done it because he saw the customer coming and needed to account for the clerk missing without drawing attention, but I don't see why he wouldn't have just hastened out of there after committing the crime (assuming he was taking the victim with him). It is a very weird case and if he is an innocent bystander, he sure gave the case a very sinister, disturbing edge.

But what if the crime was not premeditated? What if this mystery clerk saw his chance at seeing the clerk alone and no one around and took action? Perhaps this is why he was dressed indiscreetly. I have a big problem with him standing behind the counter and selling the cigarettes. I don't see a big guy (who seems pretty sure of himself) needing a fix and role playing behind the counter. That's just my take. Of course, he could have done it because he saw the customer coming and needed to account for the clerk missing without drawing attention, but I don't see why he wouldn't have just hastened out of there after committing the crime (assuming he was taking the victim with him). It is a very weird case and if he is an innocent bystander, he sure gave the case a very sinister, disturbing edge.

That's true. It just seemed weird to me that a guy who was brash enough to make a spontaneous decision to abduct a woman from a convenience store on a moment's notice wouldn't hesitate to harm a customer who walked in on him, especially if she was also a female. This is one of those cases where pretty any theory we can think of is going to have some holes in it, which I suppose is why it's such a great unsolved mystery.

On a sidenote, I double-checked the segment that they say the suspect was around 5-foot-10, but the actor they got to play him was clearly a LOT bigger than that! I'm willing to bet the UM hotline got some calls from people who spotted the actor since he was a such large scary-looking dude and the actual composite sketch they used was pretty weak. I think if the actual guy really was that big, they probably would have tracked him down by now.

On a sidenote, I double-checked the segment that they say the suspect was around 5-foot-10, but the actor they got to play him was clearly a LOT bigger than that! I'm willing to bet the UM hotline got some calls from people who spotted the actor since he was a such large scary-looking dude and the actual composite sketch they used was pretty weak. I think if the actual guy really was that big, they probably would have tracked him down by now.

Yeah, that dude was huge. He was definitely at least 6'2".

Of course, Tim McClure was 6'5" and NO ONE noticed him at the casino that night, too, so who knows? ;)

But what if the crime was not premeditated? What if this mystery clerk saw his chance at seeing the clerk alone and no one around and took action? Perhaps this is why he was dressed indiscreetly.

Maybe. But even if the crime were premeditated and the man wearing the Megadeth shirt was involved, it's doubtful that he was too concerned about what he had on. By the time Debra Poe disappeared in February 1990, Megadeth had already released three albums (and were then in the process of producing a fourth, Rust In Peace), so Megadeth shirts were not uncommon back then.

Maybe. But even if the crime were premeditated and the man wearing the Megadeth shirt was involved, it's doubtful that he was too concerned about what he had on. By the time Debra Poe disappeared in February 1990, Megadeth had already released three albums (and were then in the process of producing a fourth, Rust In Peace), so Megadeth shirts were not uncommon back then.

I have to agree. It certainly wouldn't be as incriminating as a specific hometown league jersey or hometown club sweatshirt. (If only the criminal had been that naive :lol: ) A popular band would only help to some degree if someone happened to recognize the sketch and recognized that person as someone who often wore/ had worn that shirt before. But with such popularity, that's most likely why it hasn't led to someone being caught.

"On a sidenote, I double-checked the segment that they say the suspect was around 5-foot-10, but the actor they got to play him was clearly a LOT bigger than that! I'm willing to bet the UM hotline got some calls from people who spotted the actor since he was a such large scary-looking dude and the actual composite sketch they used was pretty weak. I think if the actual guy really was that big, they probably would have tracked him down by now."

Ha, yeah I've always noticed that, too. The camera shots are from down low, looking up at him so he looks huge, plus that convenient store must have some surface you step up onto when you go behind the counter because that made him look like he was 7 feet tall or something like that! But yeah, even with the camera angles we can still tell that the actor to play "Megadeth" guy is clearly taller than 5,10" (I agree he's at least 6,2" if not taller) and probably more well-built than the actual guy.

This was probably flattering for the actual "Megadeth" guy if he's ever seen the Unsolved Mysteries segment, haha. If I'm ever involved in an unsolved mystery, I live through it, and a TV show does a segment about it with re-enactments, I want George Clooney or someone like that to play me (to make it more realistic, since we look very similar) ;-).

Anyway, I think that the friends of Deborah Poe (that guy that saw her around 3 AM or whatever) are the actual guilty party, IMO.

This was probably flattering for the actual "Megadeth" guy if he's ever seen the Unsolved Mysteries segment, haha. If I'm ever involved in an unsolved mystery, I live through it, and a TV show does a segment about it with re-enactments, I want George Clooney or someone like that to play me (to make it more realistic, since we look very similar) ;-).

:lol: Yeah, UM is sometimes quite generous and flattering when selecting actors for the re-enactments. The best example I can think of is the actor they found to play Jerry Strickland. When I finally saw the real guy (and he gave his immortal "circlestansive" evidence interview), my first thought was: "Really, Missy? You were willing to become a fugitive for HIM?!".

Anyway, I think that the friends of Deborah Poe (that guy that saw her around 3 AM or whatever) are the actual guilty party, IMO.

I used to think this as well and found it pretty suspicious that her friend would be visiting her at the store so much at such odd hours. But then I worked an overnight job a few weeks ago and was surprised at how many of my fellow employees would be chatting with people on their cell phone at 3:30 in the morning. If I ever went to a convenience store on my break, sure enough, I'd usually see the clerk passing the time by chatting with someone on their cell phone. It's amazing how many people who work overnight are able to find friends who are willing to keep them company at odd hours. I think that if cell phones had been around back then, the friend might have just chatted with Debra that way instead of visiting the store.

He probably would be really flattered at the portrayal. And if he was an innocent roleplayer, also really afraid to come forward and admit it.

It's not too odd for people to visit their friends at odd hours, especially for younger people. I've visited and gone places at all hours of the day and night. It may seem weird, but if you don't have work and such in the morning, it's not too inconvenient. Especially if you have a friend who needs company in the night.Not that the friend absolutely has no involvement, but his being there late isn't particularly incriminating.

Anyway, I think that the friends of Deborah Poe (that guy that saw her around 3 AM or whatever) are the actual guilty party, IMO.

Poe's Charley Project profile states that her boyfriend (Scott Iaggi) actually visited her at 1 am. Another (unnamed) friend claimed he drove by at 3 am and saw Poe standing behind the counter. An Orlando Sentinel article states that a customer was the last person to see Poe at 3 am.

It's pretty normal for graveyard shift clerks to have friends visit them, and if this wasn't a stranger abduction, it's possible that she believed she was only going out to get some air with a friend. Why leave her car and her purse otherwise? Still curious about the folded smock, but maybe that's what she did when she was taking a break.

I think the Megadeth t-shirt is inconsequential....I wear band shirts all the time, and even if Megadeth man did stalk Poe prior to this, he most likely wasn't a criminal mastermind. He saw an opportunity and took it, and probably wasn't expecting a customer to come in so quickly either.

The police theorize that she left/was abducted from the store in a car, and were searching for her remains near the former boyfriend's home. No mention of what led them to view Iaggi as a suspect, or if they think the Megadeth man sighting still has any credibility. Two divergent theories about her fate.

I think the Megadeth t-shirt is inconsequential....I wear band shirts all the time, and even if Megadeth man did stalk Poe prior to this, he most likely wasn't a criminal mastermind. He saw an opportunity and took it, and probably wasn't expecting a customer to come in so quickly either.
yeah, there are some people who think the Megadeth guy is innocent, i cant see that. Did he abduct Poe, i cant say for sure, BUT i can say that i think he did some type of crime. Why was he behind the counter???? The only answer is that maybe the witness either got the story or store wrong.

Hi everyone, :wave:
I know this thread is pretty old. I'm just hoping someone might be able to help me out.
I went through the expanded episode guide and I couldn't find what I was looking for..so- please go easy on me.

I'm Angela, Donna Callahan's daughter, and I would like to know which episode/season/year my mother's case was mentioned. If I remember correctly, there wasn't a whole segment on her case. I know there's a segment about the murder of my mother on the show...Cold Case..or Cold Case Files. I'm on the lookout for the Cold Case episode as well.

I guess I'll go search the episode guide for Poe's segment again..just can't seem to find it.
TIA! :wave:

Hi everyone, :wave:
I know this thread is pretty old. I'm just hoping someone might be able to help me out.
I went through the expanded episode guide and I couldn't find what I was looking for..so- please go easy on me.

I'm Angela, Donna Callahan's daughter, and I would like to know which episode/season/year my mother's case was mentioned. If I remember correctly, there wasn't a whole segment on her case. I know there's a segment about the murder of my mother on the show...Cold Case..or Cold Case Files. I'm on the lookout for the Cold Case episode as well.

I guess I'll go search the episode guide for Poe's segment again..just can't seem to find it.
TIA! :wave:


Hi Angela, It's good to have you here. I found the episode number and airdate on IMDB for you.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1699100/

I'm convinced the convenience store customer encountered the killer when she bought her cigarettes. Posters on here have done a good job of laying out an argument for why he's the killer.

The mystery clerk was there probably to buy something inconsiquential (cigarettes, a soda, etc.) and he patrolled the store and found it empty and in my opinion decided to help himself to some cash and/or goods. Remember the cops said the cash register was locked, so he was probably in the process of opening it when he was startled by the woman wanting cigarettes which in turn made him even more nervous about someone else walking in and catching him even further in the act. The woman probably scared him enough into thinking he better get out while the gettin' is good so he left without disturbing anything. The witness said the "mystery clerk" was 19-25 which would make sense for some teen with the munchies (pure speculation here, not all teens suffer from this ailment ;) ) to browse around an empty store to see what he can haul away. Even though I think the Megadeth guy was probably up to no good when the customer came in and startled him, I don't think he had anything to do with Debra Poe's disappearance...he would have came off more nervous to the woman, especially if Debra was unconscious on the floor right in front of him or in the back room somewhere! A opportunistic petty thief? Most likely. Killer/abductor? I don't see it.

Nope, "Megadeth" was the killer. No need to impersonate a clerk if you're just there to rob the place. If you're in the middle of kidnapping or murdering someone on the other hand, it makes total sense.

The odds of a store being the site of an abduction/murder and then an unrelated robbery just minutes later seem astronomical. "Megadeth" is the killer and it's the only theory that makes sense, IMO.

So if it wasn't Megadeath what was he doing behind the counter? role-playing?

Nope, "Megadeth" was the killer. No need to impersonate a clerk if you're just there to rob the place. If you're in the middle of kidnapping or murdering someone on the other hand, it makes total sense.

The odds of a store being the site of an abduction/murder and then an unrelated robbery just minutes later seem astronomical. "Megadeth" is the killer and it's the only theory that makes sense, IMO.
Well, i am not going to say the "Megadeth" guy is the killer, BUT i DO think he was doing something wrong. My guess (if he's not the killer), he was committing a crime. Why was he behind the counter??? no innocent guy rings up a customer and acts like he's the clerk.

I think Megadeth was the killer. The way I look at it....if I walked into a convenience store late at night and didnt see anyone behind the counter, what would I do? I would walk around and see if I could find someone. This includes possibly even knocking on, or opening the back door to the storage room/stock room/back offices and seeing if anyone was there.

By impersonating the clerk, this causes the other customer to believe everything is fine...no chance they will walk around and look in the back for someone, thus possibly walking in on the killer doing his deed. The customer just buys what they want and leaves.

I still think it's very possible that all he was doing was going behind the counter to grab the cash from the register when the woman came in and startled him. No role playing necessary, in the segment she kind of came up to the counter quickly (as anyone would do there to buy a pack of cigarettes) and he probably didn't see her. It is odd that he rang her up and didn't say, "Hey I don't work here and I can't find anyone" but I think the only reason he didn't say that was because he was up to no good, but nothing related to Debra Poe. He would be taking a huge leap of faith showing his face to a woman if he was in the process of abducting Debra and also what are the odds that Debra wouldn't awaken (if she were unconscious) and start screaming for help? Why would he stay in the store if he was intent on kindapping her and most liklely murdering her? That in itself makes less sense than him waiting on the other customer for cigarettes.

I think Megadeth was the killer. The way I look at it....if I walked into a convenience store late at night and didnt see anyone behind the counter, what would I do? I would walk around and see if I could find someone. This includes possibly even knocking on, or opening the back door to the storage room/stock room/back offices and seeing if anyone was there.

By impersonating the clerk, this causes the other customer to believe everything is fine...no chance they will walk around and look in the back for someone, thus possibly walking in on the killer doing his deed. The customer just buys what they want and leaves.

Agreed. Also, it just seems highly unlikely that this one little store would be the site of two unrelated major crimes just minutes apart.

Agreed. Also, it just seems highly unlikely that this one little store would be the site of two unrelated major crimes just minutes apart.

They are indirectly related. Megadeth can look around for a steal because Debra Poe's absence enables the theft.

They are indirectly related. Megadeth can look around for a steal because Debra Poe's absence enables the theft.

The chances of one small store being the site of both an abduction AND a roberry within MINUTES of each other are so small. Megadeth is obviously connected to the Poe disappearance, and most likely the abductor/killer.

The chances of one small store being the site of both an abduction AND a roberry within MINUTES of each other are so small. Megadeth is obviously connected to the Poe disappearance, and most likely the abductor/killer.

Not if the guy went to the store to legitimately purchase something and was just opportunistic because he noticed the store was empty and decided to help himself to some things. I highly doubt he went there with robbery on his mind...not that strange if you think about it...it was the graveyard shift, sometime after 2:00 a.m., that's prime time to attract the derelicts of society. Was the friend ever questioned more? I think someone brought up the fact that he visited her once at around one and then tried to again around three being odd and I agree.

You know what's interesting about the Megadeth guy incident? In the re-enactment, the customer pays Megadeth guy for the cigarettes and never gets any change back. Now, I have no idea if that's how it really happened and if the customer did pay exact change, but the police say the cash register was locked, so what if she needed change back and Megadeth guy couldn't open the register to get it for her? He may have either confessed he wasn't the clerk or took off out of the store in a panic. If he had Debra Poe tied up in the back or something, he might have even caused harm to the customer!

I just have a feeling that if that girl had tried to pay with a $20 bill, there's a chance the mystery of Megadeth guy would have been solved right there.

You know what's interesting about the Megadeth guy incident? In the re-enactment, the customer pays Megadeth guy for the cigarettes and never gets any change back. Now, I have no idea if that's how it really happened and if the customer did pay exact change, but the police say the cash register was locked, so what if she needed change back and Megadeth guy couldn't open the register to get it for her? He may have either confessed he wasn't the clerk or took off out of the store in a panic. If he had Debra Poe tied up in the back or something, he might have even caused harm to the customer!

I just have a feeling that if that girl had tried to pay with a $20 bill, there's a chance the mystery of Megadeth guy would have been solved right there.

I also thought this but just assumed the customer paid with exact change. Even though police said the register was locked, they also said that there were no signs of a robbery...so maybe there was another register where they locked up large sums of money but kept the petty cash in the drawer? Who knows? Maybe the customer is mistaken on the dates, or maybe even mistaken on the location she visited...that would account for some of the mysterious circumstances of just a "mystery clerk".

I also thought this but just assumed the customer paid with exact change. Even though police said the register was locked, they also said that there were no signs of a robbery...so maybe there was another register where they locked up large sums of money but kept the petty cash in the drawer? Who knows? Maybe the customer is mistaken on the dates, or maybe even mistaken on the location she visited...that would account for some of the mysterious circumstances of just a "mystery clerk".

You're really against the idea of Megadeth being the killer, aren't you?

I have to agree with the fact that Megadeth may not be the killer. If he came in after the clerk was missing and saw that there was no one around, he may very well have said "what the hell" and tried to get money. He could've been back there, trying to figure out how to get the register open when the person came in for cigarettes. Naturally, if someone sees someone behind the counter, they'll assume they're supposed to be there, so he could just think "Play it cool, and she'll be none the wiser." Ultimately, there is no proof that he is not the killer, and there is no proof that he is the killer. It's not about "what's the likelihood that two crimes will be committed the same night." It's simply a crime of opportunity. For instance: Someone gets abducted in a park, and drops her purse. Fifteen minutes later, a kid walks by, sees the purse, and takes the money out of it. The second crime wasn't planned. He happened upon the purse as a result of the first crime.

And as far as him never coming forward if he had nothing to do with it, put yourself in his place. Would you? Would you willingly admit "Well, officer, I was attempting to rob the place, but I swear to God, I had nothing to do with her disappearance." What are the odds that the police may even go to great lengths to try and pin it on him, simply because he was there? Not to go into some conspiracy theory stupidity, but seriously, it does happen. On top of that, there's the fear that that may happen.

I agree, I'm just not convinced Megadeath is the killer. Aloma is not a quiet out-of-the-way road in Orlando, it's one of the major roads. It is in a rather shady kind of area, but even if it weren't, it is near University, and is surrounded BY universities. The chance that some kid just happened to stop in and saw no one was there and so then decided to see if he could steal some cash is not that weird. Maybe he was back there stealing cigarettes, or maybe he was there looking for the clerk. I think that the woman coming in to buy cigarettes probably startled him, and I think that if he were up to no good (ie killing Deborah Poe), he wouldn't have stopped to get this stranger cigarettes and take her money. He would have bigger fish to fry at that point, subduing a woman he intended to kidnap for who knows what reason. As for the woman buying cigarettes, usually if someone is coming in at 3 in the morning for cigarettes it's because they've unexpectedly run out and are desperate for more. In my experience, those are the people who are likely to pay in exact change, usually literally IN change. I mean, it really is that simple. It could just have been like a string of bad coincidences.

I worked in a gas station in Orlando and you are only allowed to have about $50 in your drawer, especially after dark, and they put a special safe under the counter where you drop all your $20's and anything that will put your drawer over $50. It says on the safe "clerk does not have combination to the safe" and something about time-lock.

That's just my opinion, of course. :) (I mean, apart from my experience).

I agree, I'm just not convinced Megadeath is the killer. Aloma is not a quiet out-of-the-way road in Orlando, it's one of the major roads. It is in a rather shady kind of area, but even if it weren't, it is near University, and is surrounded BY universities. The chance that some kid just happened to stop in and saw no one was there and so then decided to see if he could steal some cash is not that weird. Maybe he was back there stealing cigarettes, or maybe he was there looking for the clerk. I think that the woman coming in to buy cigarettes probably startled him, and I think that if he were up to no good (ie killing Deborah Poe), he wouldn't have stopped to get this stranger cigarettes and take her money. He would have bigger fish to fry at that point, subduing a woman he intended to kidnap for who knows what reason. As for the woman buying cigarettes, usually if someone is coming in at 3 in the morning for cigarettes it's because they've unexpectedly run out and are desperate for more. In my experience, those are the people who are likely to pay in exact change, usually literally IN change. I mean, it really is that simple. It could just have been like a string of bad coincidences.

I worked in a gas station in Orlando and you are only allowed to have about $50 in your drawer, especially after dark, and they put a special safe under the counter where you drop all your $20's and anything that will put your drawer over $50. It says on the safe "clerk does not have combination to the safe" and something about time-lock.

That's just my opinion, of course. :) (I mean, apart from my experience).

Ditto. That's my experience, too. Except out in the sticks, we'd keep 150. At least at the one I worked at. And the safe we had had a special vending thing that would allow you to vend only once every ten or twenty minutes. So the most they'd get was 20 bucks from it, unless the person waited around for a long time.

You're really against the idea of Megadeth being the killer, aren't you?

I'm not against the idea of him being guilty, I just don't see how it's possible. If he was a serial killer who was responsible for the other 2 deaths/disappearances or even if this was unrelated, this was a calculated attack. The guy who abducted her knew what he was going to do when he walked in the store. So why on Earth would he stand behind the counter and wait around the store if he was there to do harm to Debra, exposing himself to potential witnesses? I think the theory of her going out to smoke and getting abducted seems more likely, since they found her apron neatly folded in the store. If that's the case then Megadeth is innocent.

I am convinced that Megadeth is the killer and that he had to pose as the clerk to conceal a crime (abduction/murder) in progress. But I guess we'll never know.

Everytime I see a guy with a megadeth shirt it reminds me of this case, talk about bad publicity :D

So the guy with the glasses in the segment (her friend) was the alleged kidnapper?

I wonder what the band thinks of this case, assuming they even know about it.

Everytime I see a guy with a megadeth shirt it reminds me of this case, talk about bad publicity :D

So the guy with the glasses in the segment (her friend) was the alleged kidnapper?

I don't think it was ever brought up in the segment that he was a suspect, but I always wondered if LE ever looked into him as a person of interest.

For those that don't know, this case was updated on a recent airing of Lifetime. The case of the 29 year old store clerk who had a two year old daughter was solved and it was determined that a man and his half-brother killed her and they had no connection to the Deborah Poe disappearance. They continued to say that authorities believe the main suspect in this case to be a "friend" of Deborah (don't know if it was the same friend who came by to visit her twice or not) and that the Megadeth guy was just a customer in the store. Her body has not been found.

"Just a customer", eh? I'm not buying it.

"Just a customer", eh? I'm not buying it.

That's exactly what the UM update said. Obviously he could have been more than just a customer, I personally think he was taking advantage of an empty store attempting to rob it, but the bottom line is the police do not consider this man a suspect in her disappearance. The main suspect now is one of Poe's friends.

That's exactly what the UM update said. Obviously he could have been more than just a customer, I personally think he was taking advantage of an empty store attempting to rob it, but the bottom line is the police do not consider this man a suspect in her disappearance. The main suspect now is one of Poe's friends.

+1

To those that think the "Megadeth" guy was her abductor and/or killer:

He was probably the first person that walked in the store after she was abducted and, after a few minutes, probably realized he was the only person in there and decided to try to steal some money from the register when another customer (the girl in the segment) came in and walked up to the register.

Was he attempting to steal? Yes, I think so. But did he abduct and/or murder Deborah Poe? I highly doubt it. Who would be stupid enough to abduct someone and then keep that person in the store (anyone else could walk in) while wearing clothing and looking the way he did (long hair, t-shirt that says, "Megadeth")? The way he looked stood out and would be so easy for witnesses to remember. I don't think someone would be dressed/looking that way or acting that way if they were trying to abduct someone: it just doesn't add up to me.

Since the only other good lead is the "friend", I think that's where the focus should stay until/unless any other good leads ever turn up.

Until we really know who took Deborah, I'm choosing to believe it's Megadeth.

It's too much of a coincidence for a robbery to occur just minutes after a kidnapping took place in the same location. Something fishy's going on...

Until we really know who took Deborah, I'm choosing to believe it's Megadeth.

It's too much of a coincidence for a robbery to occur just minutes after a kidnapping took place in the same location. Something fishy's going on...

Umm...if somebody that is less than honest entered an obviously abandoned store why wouldn't they act like "Megadeth" did? In fact, I'm surprised that he didn't load up on beer and cigarettes while he was there.

Having said that, if he had just kidnapped Ms. Poe, why would he still be in the store? If she were the "objective" why bother hanging around until customers (or a cop) came along?

Umm...if somebody that is less than honest entered an obviously abandoned store why wouldn't they act like "Megadeth" did? In fact, I'm surprised that he didn't load up on beer and cigarettes while he was there.

Having said that, if he had just kidnapped Ms. Poe, why would he still be in the store? If she were the "objective" why bother hanging around until customers (or a cop) came along?

Thank you. I can't understand why certain people keep saying "it's an incredible coincidence that another crime happens just minutes later." It's a crime of opportunity, as I stated, before. If he hadn't happened upon an empty store, it wouldn't have happened.

Thank you. I can't understand why certain people keep saying "it's an incredible coincidence that another crime happens just minutes later." It's a crime of opportunity, as I stated, before. If he hadn't happened upon an empty store, it wouldn't have happened.

It's safe to conclude he was up to no good, because if he were searching for the cashier he would have said something to the other customer like, "I don't work here, I'm trying to find someone who does." So I definitely think he was being opportunistic trying to rob the store before he was interrupted. Maybe the interruption scared him into leaving shortly after. The cops did say no money was found missing. There is no logical reason why this man would attempt to abduct Deborah, and then linger around in the store so he could wait on this lady buying cigarettes.

It's safe to conclude he was up to no good, because if he were searching for the cashier he would have said something to the other customer like, "I don't work here, I'm trying to find someone who does." So I definitely think he was being opportunistic trying to rob the store before he was interrupted. Maybe the interruption scared him into leaving shortly after. The cops did say no money was found missing. There is no logical reason why this man would attempt to abduct Deborah, and then linger around in the store so he could wait on this lady buying cigarettes.

I absolutely agree with this assessment.

There is no logical reason why this man would attempt to abduct Deborah, and then linger around in the store so he could wait on this lady buying cigarettes.

That's because she interrupted him mid-abduction. That's what makes it so creepy!

That's because she interrupted him mid-abduction. That's what makes it so creepy!

Eh, I'm doubting.

Are you in support of the theory that Deborah was behind the counter throughout the entire exchange between Megadeth and the customer? I've always found that to be a little on the incredible side. It's just an opinion, but I think most perpetrators interrupted in the middle of an abduction would:

A) Immediately flee
B) Eliminate the (potential) witness
C) Indicate very, very strongly through a number of behavioral cues that something was not at all right


I just don't see someone--especially someone that young--remaining calm and collected enough to maintain his composure completely during that exchange.

If this was an interruption mid-abduction, where exactly was Deborah and why didn't she cry for help?

If this was an interruption mid-abduction, where exactly was Deborah and why didn't she cry for help?

Bound and gagged in the back, obviously.

Not sure what you're trying to do here, but I subscribe to the "It was Megadeth" theory, and nothing you do is going to change my mind. You're wasting your time.

Bound and gagged in the back, obviously.

Not sure what you're trying to do here, but I subscribe to the "It was Megadeth" theory, and nothing you do is going to change my mind. You're wasting your time.

Since there was never evidence uncovered that a struggle occurred in the store nor that anyone was ever "bound and gagged" at any point, there's really no basis to believe that it happened.

If wish to believe something because it matters to you, then that's your right. The evidence actually points in a different direction.

Bound and gagged in the back, obviously.

Not sure what you're trying to do here, but I subscribe to the "It was Megadeth" theory, and nothing you do is going to change my mind. You're wasting your time.

I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other. Just asking a logical question to your theory of "Megadeth is guilty" that must be answered. Which you have chosen to ignore, BTW.

I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other. Just asking a logical question to your theory of "Megadeth is guilty" that must be answered. Which you have chosen to ignore, BTW.

Can you not read? I did give you an answer---she was bound and gagged in the back.

People like you piss me off. You want to take all the fun out the mysteries!

Can you not read? I did give you an answer---she was bound and gagged in the back.

People like you piss me off. You want to take all the fun out the mysteries!

Yes I am the Murky & Lurky to this board's Rainbow Brite. I'm here to take the fun out of every mystery. :rolleyes:

As a matter of fact, I'll call the Orlando PD and tell them to consider "Megadeth" a suspect again because it'd be more fun for you.

There is nothing "fun" about contorting a tragic event involving a real, living human being into some sort of scary campfire story.

Oh please. Unsolved Mysteries is an entertainment program. Deal with it!

There was no signs of a struggle anywhere inside the convenience store. If someone tried to strangle you, there would be signs of a struggle. If someone tried to stab you with a knife, there would be signs of a struggle...as well as a ton of blood everywhere. However, if someone pointed a gun at you, there is not likely to be any signs of a struggle.

Most likely, Deborah was behind the counter and her kidnappers pulled out a gun. It's 3:00 in the morning so there are not going to be many customers around. There are no surveillance cameras (stupid, stupid, stupid!). If she's got a gun pointed at her, there is nowhere for her to run and she can't fight back.

It's possible that Megadeath guy was one of the kidnappers. His accomplice could have been the one that was holding a gun to Deborah's head (either in the back room or behind the counter) to keep her quiet while Megadeath helped the customer so she wouldn't think anything was wrong. His job might have been to make sure the coast was clear so they could leave the store without anyone seeing them.

If Megadeath guy had nothing to do with the kidnapping and simply walked in to the store, found it empty and attempted to rob it, he would have taken some money. But no money was missing. Yet he went to the trouble of going behind the counter and pretending to be an employee of the store. That doesn't add up to me.

Just my thoughts. I could be way off.

There was no signs of a struggle anywhere inside the convenience store. If someone tried to strangle you, there would be signs of a struggle. If someone tried to stab you with a knife, there would be signs of a struggle...as well as a ton of blood everywhere. However, if someone pointed a gun at you, there is not likely to be any signs of a struggle.

Most likely, Deborah was behind the counter and her kidnappers pulled out a gun. It's 3:00 in the morning so there are not going to be many customers around. There are no surveillance cameras (stupid, stupid, stupid!). If she's got a gun pointed at her, there is nowhere for her to run and she can't fight back.

It's possible that Megadeath guy was one of the kidnappers. His accomplice could have been the one that was holding a gun to Deborah's head (either in the back room or behind the counter) to keep her quiet while Megadeath helped the customer so she wouldn't think anything was wrong. His job might have been to make sure the coast was clear so they could leave the store without anyone seeing them.

If Megadeath guy had nothing to do with the kidnapping and simply walked in to the store, found it empty and attempted to rob it, he would have taken some money. But no money was missing. Yet he went to the trouble of going behind the counter and pretending to be an employee of the store. That doesn't add up to me.

Just my thoughts. I could be way off.

There's just no evidence that there were any other people in the store when "Megadeth" was in there except the customer that just came in. If there was, then by now I'm certain that the police would have found that evidence and released it to the public.

Assuming that Ms. Poe was abducted at gunpoint, it would been a very rapid affair: The abductor draws and points his weapon, gives Ms. Poe instructions and then they leave the store. The killer was unlikely to bind her in the store as there may not be the necessary equipment to do so. He may also want to avoid a struggle that he might lose or having to use his weapon.

They then leave the store (apparently before the arrival of "Megadeth") and get into a waiting vehicle. They leave at least a minute or two before "Megadeth" arrives. Why do I think it happened like this? Because Megadeth seemed (from the customers description) to be somewhat confused about the store and its layout. He definitely was unfamiliar w/ the cash register.

Also, I believe that "Megadeth" actual was somewhat honest as he didn't clean out the store after the customer he served left and apparently didn't steal any money. Perhaps he was frightened or leery about additional customers or thought that maybe the police would arrive. In this, he seems to be more of a "customer" than the perpetrator of a crime.

Finally, why (if he was a abductor/killer) would he have let the customer that saw him escape? If he had wanted, he could have kidnapped her as well or simply killed her as she was (apparently) the only witness that saw him. There certainly wasn't anything stopping him from doing this.

There's just no evidence that there were any other people in the store when "Megadeth" was in there except the customer that just came in. If there was, then by now I'm certain that the police would have found that evidence and released it to the public.

Assuming that Ms. Poe was abducted at gunpoint, it would been a very rapid affair: The abductor draws and points his weapon, gives Ms. Poe instructions and then they leave the store. The killer was unlikely to bind her in the store as there may not be the necessary equipment to do so. He may also want to avoid a struggle that he might lose or have to use his weapon.

They then leave the store (apparently before the arrival of "Megadeth") and get into a waiting vehicle. They leave at least a minute or two before "Megadeth" arrives. Why do I think it happened like this? Because Megadeth seemed (from the customers description) to be somewhat confused about the store and its layout. He definitely was unfamiliar w/ the cash register.

Also, I believe that "Megadeth" actual was somewhat honest as he didn't clean out the store after the customer he served left and apparently didn't steal any money. Perhaps he was frightened or leery about additional customers or thought that maybe the police would arrive. In this, he seems to be more of a "customer" than the perpetrator of a crime.

Finally, why (if he was a abductor/killer) would he have let the customer that saw him escape? If he had wanted, he could have kidnapped her as well or simply killed her as she was (apparently) the only witness that saw him. There certainly wasn't anything stopping him from doing this.

:clap

Why is it so hard to believe that someone who knew Deborah was responsible? Aren't most homicides committed by people who know the victim? I agree that it would be unlikely for "Megadeth" to stick around after the lady who bought the cigarettes left, especially if he was up to something nefarious. If two low lifes somehow went to the store to abduct Deborah, and one had her in the back at gunpoint, they obviously didn't mind taking their time since "Megadeth" decided to wait on a customer. After she left, he had plenty of time to empty the register and steal some other goods from the store since Deborah was already detained at that point. The fact that no money was missing tells me "Megadeth" was startled by the cigarette lady, and since he was up to no good, decided to get out of dodge before she called the police or another customer wandered in.

There was no signs of a struggle anywhere inside the convenience store. If someone tried to strangle you, there would be signs of a struggle. If someone tried to stab you with a knife, there would be signs of a struggle...as well as a ton of blood everywhere. However, if someone pointed a gun at you, there is not likely to be any signs of a struggle.

Most likely, Deborah was behind the counter and her kidnappers pulled out a gun. It's 3:00 in the morning so there are not going to be many customers around. There are no surveillance cameras (stupid, stupid, stupid!). If she's got a gun pointed at her, there is nowhere for her to run and she can't fight back.

It's possible that Megadeath guy was one of the kidnappers. His accomplice could have been the one that was holding a gun to Deborah's head (either in the back room or behind the counter) to keep her quiet while Megadeath helped the customer so she wouldn't think anything was wrong. His job might have been to make sure the coast was clear so they could leave the store without anyone seeing them.

If Megadeath guy had nothing to do with the kidnapping and simply walked in to the store, found it empty and attempted to rob it, he would have taken some money. But no money was missing. Yet he went to the trouble of going behind the counter and pretending to be an employee of the store. That doesn't add up to me.

Just my thoughts. I could be way off.

Thank you. I agree!

There was no signs of a struggle anywhere inside the convenience store. If someone tried to strangle you, there would be signs of a struggle. If someone tried to stab you with a knife, there would be signs of a struggle...as well as a ton of blood everywhere. However, if someone pointed a gun at you, there is not likely to be any signs of a struggle.

Most likely, Deborah was behind the counter and her kidnappers pulled out a gun. It's 3:00 in the morning so there are not going to be many customers around. There are no surveillance cameras (stupid, stupid, stupid!). If she's got a gun pointed at her, there is nowhere for her to run and she can't fight back.

It's possible that Megadeath guy was one of the kidnappers. His accomplice could have been the one that was holding a gun to Deborah's head (either in the back room or behind the counter) to keep her quiet while Megadeath helped the customer so she wouldn't think anything was wrong. His job might have been to make sure the coast was clear so they could leave the store without anyone seeing them.

If Megadeath guy had nothing to do with the kidnapping and simply walked in to the store, found it empty and attempted to rob it, he would have taken some money. But no money was missing. Yet he went to the trouble of going behind the counter and pretending to be an employee of the store. That doesn't add up to me.

Just my thoughts. I could be way off.

Kind of my thought too. One thing we know for sure is that this guy was NOT an employee of the store. Since there is such a mystery surrounding what happened all we have to work with is the "Megadeth" guy. If you ask me, he was involved only because it makes the most sense.

I am surprised more people haven't questioned the eyewitness statement. In my mind this is one of those situations where the desription of what happened seems too real to ignore so I am guessing we all pretty much believe this woman that there was a man behind the counter?

There is nothing "fun" about contorting a tragic event involving a real, living human being into some sort of scary campfire story.

Absolutely, Meg. Absolutely.

I lean towards the theory that was brought up in the past (either in this thread or another regarding this case, too lazy to look for it right now) about Deborah Poe being abducted while she was outside on her break, probably a smoke break.

That would explain her smock being inside the store. And she was probably abducted at gunpoint outside, which would explain how the abductor got her out of there so quickly without any witnesses, and it was probably someone that knew her (ex-boyfriend Scott Iaggi? some other friend?), which would explain why they would know (or have a good idea of) when Poe would go on her breaks during her shift.

Kind of my thought too. One thing we know for sure is that this guy was NOT an employee of the store. Since there is such a mystery surrounding what happened all we have to work with is the "Megadeth" guy. If you ask me, he was involved only because it makes the most sense.

I am surprised more people haven't questioned the eyewitness statement. In my mind this is one of those situations where the desription of what happened seems too real to ignore so I am guessing we all pretty much believe this woman that there was a man behind the counter?

Why does it "make most sense?" There's no telling how long it was between when Ms. Poe disappeared from the store and when "Megadeth" arrived . Since an abductor wouldn't want to "hang around" the store after he/she has done what they were going to do, then "Megadeth's" presence can easily be explained that he was a customer and that he was looking for some quick cash.

What seems more likely to me is that either someone abducted Ms. Poe from inside the store or lured her outside using a ruse and then kidnapped her. The lack of signs of a struggle inside the store indicate that whatever happened was quick and caught Ms. Poe by surprise. And a man tying her up would have had to spend far too much time doing that and would take the risk of being caught.

Also, where was "Megadeth's" weapon? He didn't have a jacket on and the woman that came into the store didn't see one in his hands or his waistband. If he was armed, what did he do w/ his weapon when she came into the store?

"Megadeth" being involved makes no sense, IMO. The fact that Deborah's work smock and no signs of a struggle tell me that someone she knew lured her outside. If she were simply going outside for a quick smoke, why feel the need to take off her smock? The fact that there were no signs of a struggle, no known weapons on "Megadeth's" person, and the fact that he let the cigarette buying witness leave unharmed tell me "Megadeth" had absolutely nothing to do with this. That and the fact that law enforcement no longer consider him a suspect.

I lean towards the theory that was brought up in the past (either in this thread or another regarding this case, too lazy to look for it right now) about Deborah Poe being abducted while she was outside on her break, probably a smoke break.

That would explain her smock being inside the store. And she was probably abducted at gunpoint outside, which would explain how the abductor got her out of there so quickly without any witnesses, and it was probably someone that knew her (ex-boyfriend Scott Iaggi? some other friend?), which would explain why they would know (or have a good idea of) when Poe would go on her breaks during her shift.

I've come to believe that what ever happened, occurred outside of the store. As far as I can tell, no information has been released as to why police theorized her remains might have been near the church, or why they've focused on the new suspect.

A 1996 Orlando Sentinel article mentions that police want to talk to Megadeth guy, as they believe he may have been a witness and possibly a boyfriend of another store clerk. Possibly a ruse to get him to come forward, but I'm curious if they had more knowledge of his identity than they divulged.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-11-24/news/9611211092_1_crimeline-megadeth-poe

I've come to believe that what ever happened, occurred outside of the store. As far as I can tell, no information has been released as to why police theorized her remains might have been near the church, or why they've focused on the new suspect.

A 1996 Orlando Sentinel article mentions that police want to talk to Megadeth guy, as they believe he may have been a witness and possibly a boyfriend of another store clerk. Possibly a ruse to get him to come forward, but I'm curious if they had more knowledge of his identity than they divulged.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-11-24/news/9611211092_1_crimeline-megadeth-poe

How did they not find this guy? I'm not a big "Megadeth fan" but I would have imagine that although they did have a solid fan base, the majority of their fans didn't adorn their vehicles w/ the band's logo. A quick check of all the local metal/biker bars should have obtained the police this guy's name in about a day or so.

How did they not find this guy? I'm not a big "Megadeth fan" but I would have imagine that although they did have a solid fan base, the majority of their fans didn't adorn their vehicles w/ the band's logo. A quick check of all the local metal/biker bars should have obtained the police this guy's name in about a day or so.

That's the question: did police generally know this man's identity (hence the comment about him being the boyfriend of another clerk) and simply could not locate him personally? I've been to Megadeth and metal concerts; even amongst that crowd, this vehicle would stick out

Another question is why they have focused on this other suspect.

I lean towards the theory that was brought up in the past (either in this thread or another regarding this case, too lazy to look for it right now) about Deborah Poe being abducted while she was outside on her break, probably a smoke break.

That would explain her smock being inside the store. And she was probably abducted at gunpoint outside, which would explain how the abductor got her out of there so quickly without any witnesses, and it was probably someone that knew her (ex-boyfriend Scott Iaggi? some other friend?), which would explain why they would know (or have a good idea of) when Poe would go on her breaks during her shift.

Yep. That theory crossed my mind before as well. She could have been outside on a break and very easily kidnapped at gunpoint. That too could explain why there was no signs of a struggle inside the store. But it doesn't explain Megadeath guy. I don't know. Something never sat right with me about him. If he was planning on taking money from the register, he still could have easily done it as soon as the witness left. Yet he didn't. Why chicken out at that point after going through THAT much trouble?

According to the UM segment, this was the timeline of events...

*3:05 a.m. - Deborah's friend leaves the store while she waits on a customer.
*3:30 a.m. - The witness walks in to the store and buys a pack of cigarettes from Megadeath guy.
*3:50 a.m. - Deborah's friend returns to the store and finds it empty.
*4:30 a.m. - Police arrive at the store.

If this is accurate, Deborah was kidnapped very shortly after her friend left the store. The kidnapper, whether it was her boyfriend or a complete stranger, might have been waiting out in the parking lot for a while so she would be alone. I doubt it was a perfect timing kidnapping where a suspect just randomly happened upon the scene at the right moment. This had to have been planned.

How did they not find this guy? I'm not a big "Megadeth fan" but I would have imagine that although they did have a solid fan base, the majority of their fans didn't adorn their vehicles w/ the band's logo. A quick check of all the local metal/biker bars should have obtained the police this guy's name in about a day or so.

That article was dated back in 96, so is it possible that police did locate "Megadeth", interviewed him, and then ruled him out as a suspect? There would be no reason to reveal his identity, especially if they don't think he's responsible anymore. If in fact he did date another clerk at the store, and also drove that distinct looking Shaggin' Wagon, he should have been found in a couple of hours.

That article was dated back in 96, so is it possible that police did locate "Megadeth", interviewed him, and then ruled him out as a suspect? There would be no reason to reveal his identity, especially if they don't think he's responsible anymore. If in fact he did date another clerk at the store, and also drove that distinct looking Shaggin' Wagon, he should have been found in a couple of hours.

If that were the case, UM would have had to completely restructure the segment as they would have to exclude "Megadeth" from any future airings to avoid a potential lawsuit. Although it's never been stated I suspect that this is why some older segments aren't shown. The way that they were presented was factually inaccurate and it would compromise the segment to make the necessary changes to before airing it.

If that were the case, UM would have had to completely restructure the segment as they would have to exclude "Megadeth" from any future airings to avoid a potential lawsuit. Although it's never been stated I suspect that this is why some older segments aren't shown. The way that they were presented was factually inaccurate and it would compromise the segment to make the necessary changes to before airing it.

I guess that's why they threw in the update about "Megadeth" no longer being considered a suspect.

If that were the case, UM would have had to completely restructure the segment as they would have to exclude "Megadeth" from any future airings to avoid a potential lawsuit. Although it's never been stated I suspect that this is why some older segments aren't shown. The way that they were presented was factually inaccurate and it would compromise the segment to make the necessary changes to before airing it.

No they don't have to restructure it. In the Cynthia Anderson case, the lady who the " I love you Cindy" graffiti messages were meant for saw the case and wrote her that she contacted UM and they told her that the segment was already delivered so they couldn't take it out but they did take it out of the website. If they updated that the guy is no longer a suspect, they don't have to restructure it anymore.

I guess that's why they threw in the update about "Megadeth" no longer being considered a suspect.

When did they do that? I just saw the segment about a month or so ago and he was still in there.

No they don't have to restructure it. In the Cynthia Anderson case, the lady who the " I love you Cindy" graffiti messages were meant for saw the case and wrote her that she contacted UM and they told her that the segment was already delivered so they couldn't take it out but they did take it out of the website. If they updated that the guy is no longer a suspect, they don't have to restructure it anymore.

Huh? Who sent what to whom? Look, if they must have tried to make a reasonable effort to contact the guy and he either didn't respond to them or he did and allowed himself to be used in the segment. After you have cleared by the police, that fact has to be introduced in the segment or the segment can't be aired for fear of a lawsuit.

When did they do that? I just saw the segment about a month or so ago and he was still in there.

It was on Monday or Tuesday this week on Lifetime. While they still kept the "Megadeth" angle in the segment, they updated it at the end saying that the killers of the 29 year old clerk (can't remember her name, but investigators thought there may be a connection between her and Deborah) were caught and they were half brothers that had nothing to do with Poe's disappearance. The update went on to say that authorities believe one of Deborah's friends is now the prime suspect and that "Megadeth" was nothing more than a customer.

I've never believed the Megadeth connection - besides blood hounds found Deborah's scent in the parking lot of the building beside of her apartment building, making it very likely someone she knew took her. If the boyfriend did do it, he might as well fess up, he looks guilty anyways.

Huh? Who sent what to whom? Look, if they must have tried to make a reasonable effort to contact the guy and he either didn't respond to them or he did and allowed himself to be used in the segment. After you have cleared by the police, that fact has to be introduced in the segment or the segment can't be aired for fear of a lawsuit.

Well it was just cleared that they did update the segment.

Huh? Who sent what to whom? Look, if they must have tried to make a reasonable effort to contact the guy and he either didn't respond to them or he did and allowed himself to be used in the segment. After you have cleared by the police, that fact has to be introduced in the segment or the segment can't be aired for fear of a lawsuit.

I'm fairly certain the only way one could sue, in that instance, is if one is mentioned by name, because then it turns into libel. Otherwise, there's nothing that can be done.

I'm fairly certain the only way one could sue, in that instance, is if one is mentioned by name, because then it turns into libel. Otherwise, there's nothing that can be done.

Really? Are you an attorney?

Really? Are you an attorney?

I don't think bell83 is an attorney, but he/she is right. The segment specifically states he may have nothing to do with the case and the police just want to talk to him. So "Megadeth" views the segment (20 years later mind you) and decides to sue UM for some unknown reason. What exactly would he sue for? And how would his case hold water in court? "They hurt my image by portraying me as a Megadeth loving, role-playing cashier. That hurt my feelings!"

:lol: I wonder what the Megadeth guy would think 20 years ago he was on Unsolved Mysteries....

Really? Are you an attorney?

Are you an attorney? You know, every single place you post, you have to be a dink, even when people agree with the basic idea you are trying to put forward. Can you please explain to me what your problem is?

If you are an attorney (which I'd be willing to bet a month's pay that you aren't), juries must love the way you condescend to them, letting them know that unless they rule in your favor, never doubt you, and never question you, you're so much smarter and better than they are. You must never lose a case!

:lol: I wonder what the Megadeth guy would think 20 years ago he was on Unsolved Mysteries....

Depends on whether or not he was connected to Deborah's dissapearance.

:lol: I wonder what the Megadeth guy would think 20 years ago he was on Unsolved Mysteries....

If connected to the case: :rolleyes: because they never caught him despite the detailed appearance.
If not connected: :eek: in fear that people may think he was involved

Are you an attorney? You know, every single place you post, you have to be a dink, even when people agree with the basic idea you are trying to put forward. Can you please explain to me what your problem is?

If you are an attorney (which I'd be willing to bet a month's pay that you aren't), juries must love the way you condescend to them, letting them know that unless they rule in your favor, never doubt you, and never question you, you're so much smarter and better than they are. You must never lose a case!

I'd be willing to bet a year's salary.

I've always been somewhat torn on this case. I think either of the following scenarios is plausible:

1.) Mr. Megadeth was the first customer to enter the store following Ms. Poe's abduction. Upon finding it empty, he went into "kid-in-a-candy-store" mode and decided to see if he could scrounge up anything of value from behind the counter. When Cigarette Girl arrived, he waited on her to avoid the appearance of impropriety, and then--perhaps unnerved by her--left. Obviously he didn't rob the cash register, and he didn't trash the place, but do we really know that he didn't take anything? Unless the store kept meticulous records of its stock and sales, he could have taken some cigarettes, alcohol, or other merchandise whose absence later went unnoticed.

2.) Mr. Megadeth was an accomplice who waited on Cigarette Girl after she interrupted the abduction-in-progress.

If I had to pick one scenario as more likely though, I'd go with the first. Had Cigarette Girl truly interrupted the abduction, wouldn't she have seen or heard something? Also, couldn't the abductors just as easily have kidnapped her as well? It seems odd that they would allow a potential identifying witness to escape not only unharmed, but also unthreatened.

If anything, UM probably played up the Mr. Megadeth angle simply because it made for a dramatic twist: the idea of a customer coming "face-to-face" with the abductor.

I know these are real people, and I don't want to trash them, but did anyone else kind of think that, at least in the re-enactment, Cigarette Girl was kind of sleazy? I could easily see how a 3AM customer might hop behind the counter just to have a chance to interact with her. I think that maybe the idea of him being suspicious came about simply because he was a big guy who liked metal (remember, in the 80's, these were the rebels). I mean, if he were wearing an Air Supply T-shirt, would this thread even exist?

I mean, if he were wearing an Air Supply T-shirt, would this thread even exist?


:lol:

Are you an attorney? You know, every single place you post, you have to be a dink, even when people agree with the basic idea you are trying to put forward. Can you please explain to me what your problem is?

If you are an attorney (which I'd be willing to bet a month's pay that you aren't), juries must love the way you condescend to them, letting them know that unless they rule in your favor, never doubt you, and never question you, you're so much smarter and better than they are. You must never lose a case!

Are you incapable of debate w/o name calling? If you aren't then why not try writing on here when you have grown up a little more?

And,no, I'm not an attorney. I do know quite a bit about entertainment law from studying it and some business affairs that I have been involved in over the years. There are strict rules and regulations concerning what can (and cannot) be aired on television. I didn't create them; I simply know that they exist and what happens (or can happen) when the are subverted or broken.

If the man portrayed as "Megadeth" on the show got a lawyer and pushed things, the producers of UM would almost certainly drop the segment from airing. Why? Because even people on this forum have stated that they believe that he was involved in one or more crimes. While his name is never spoken, it would be very clear to anybody that knows this man who he is.

This could cause his loss of employment, potential harassment, and possible arrest by an overzealous LE officer. I'm actually surprised that they haven't either stopped airing the segment (since his inclusion is presented in the main portion as the only real "lead") or that UM hasn't put a disclaimer on before airing the segment carefully detailing that "Megadeth" had no involvement in the crime portrayed.

You stated (as a fact) that UM could air this program unedited and not face potential issues. Since the only person that could honestly answer that would be an entertainment attorney, I asked if you were. You answered no, so I guess what you stated was an opinion.

If my pointing out logical errors and flaws in critical thinking are seen as being "condescending" that is not my intent. However, we are all adults on here. If you present opinion as fact, it really shouldn't upset you when you are "called on it." You are, after all, an adult and criticism of your ideas is part of being an adult.

he was a big guy who liked metal (remember, in the 80's, these were the rebels).

In the present day, these are my boyfriends. ;)

I know these are real people, and I don't want to trash them, but did anyone else kind of think that, at least in the re-enactment, Cigarette Girl was kind of sleazy? I could easily see how a 3AM customer might hop behind the counter just to have a chance to interact with her. I think that maybe the idea of him being suspicious came about simply because he was a big guy who liked metal (remember, in the 80's, these were the rebels). I mean, if he were wearing an Air Supply T-shirt, would this thread even exist?
If he was wearing an Air Supply tee, this thread would be 10 times longer. Rock on!

Also, you have to remember that big hair and mini-skirts were everywhere back then. Especially in places like Florida, where the humidity is so bad, you just have to go with it.

Are you incapable of debate w/o name calling? If you aren't then why not try writing on here when you have grown up a little more?

And,no, I'm not an attorney. I do know quite a bit about entertainment law from studying it and some business affairs that I have been involved in over the years. There are strict rules and regulations concerning what can (and cannot) be aired on television. I didn't create them; I simply know that they exist and what happens (or can happen) when the are subverted or broken.

If the man portrayed as "Megadeth" on the show got a lawyer and pushed things, the producers of UM would almost certainly drop the segment from airing. Why? Because even people on this forum have stated that they believe that he was involved in one or more crimes. While his name is never spoken, it would be very clear to anybody that knows this man who he is.

This could cause his loss of employment, potential harassment, and possible arrest by an overzealous LE officer. I'm actually surprised that they haven't either stopped airing the segment (since his inclusion is presented in the main portion as the only real "lead") or that UM hasn't put a disclaimer on before airing the segment carefully detailing that "Megadeth" had no involvement in the crime portrayed.

You stated (as a fact) that UM could air this program unedited and not face potential issues. Since the only person that could honestly answer that would be an entertainment attorney, I asked if you were. You answered no, so I guess what you stated was an opinion.

If my pointing out logical errors and flaws in critical thinking are seen as being "condescending" that is not my intent. However, we are all adults on here. If you present opinion as fact, it really shouldn't upset you when you are "called on it." You are, after all, an adult and criticism of your ideas is part of being an adult.

I am perfectly able to answer "as an adult" without namecalling. But when I say something, then have someone answer back with a snide "Really? Are you an attorney?" I must say that it pisses me off. As you point out, neither of us are attorneys. That means that your opinion holds no more weight than mine. Here's a helpful hint for the next time someone says something you disagree with: Instead of using something that can be viewed as you being snarky (let's use the above as an example), why not take the extra five seconds and use language that respects the opinions and views of others? THAT is where I get the condescension from. Not that you disagree with me. It's the manner in which you do it, and I'm not the only one that has seen it. Either way, I'm done bothering with you. Whether a person agrees with you or disagrees with you, you always have to point out "facts" or "logic" with an attitude that is completely uncalled for. I tried to be decent and civil with you (you didn't see me saying "Actually, Megadeth would have no case, idiot," did you? No, you didn't. I said "I think," which is much more respectful than your posts tend to be.), and it got me nowhere. See you around.

^^^^

I can't help how you "feel."

I know these are real people, and I don't want to trash them, but did anyone else kind of think that, at least in the re-enactment, Cigarette Girl was kind of sleazy? I could easily see how a 3AM customer might hop behind the counter just to have a chance to interact with her. I think that maybe the idea of him being suspicious came about simply because he was a big guy who liked metal (remember, in the 80's, these were the rebels). I mean, if he were wearing an Air Supply T-shirt, would this thread even exist?

I've always assumed this woman was coming back from a trip to a bar/club which could explain the time she came to the store and the way she was dressed (at least in the re-enactment).

If anything, UM probably played up the Mr. Megadeth angle simply because it made for a dramatic twist: the idea of a customer coming "face-to-face" with the abductor.

I agree. That's probably why they still keep the Megadeth angle in the segment in the newer, Farina hosted episodes. Although like I've stated before, they did update the segment at the end stating that the police now believe Megadeth was nothing more than a customer in the store.

In the present day, these are my boyfriends. ;)


Ha, ha....sweet. ;)

Are you incapable of debate w/o name calling? If you aren't then why not try writing on here when you have grown up a little more?

And,no, I'm not an attorney. I do know quite a bit about entertainment law from studying it and some business affairs that I have been involved in over the years. There are strict rules and regulations concerning what can (and cannot) be aired on television. I didn't create them; I simply know that they exist and what happens (or can happen) when the are subverted or broken.

If the man portrayed as "Megadeth" on the show got a lawyer and pushed things, the producers of UM would almost certainly drop the segment from airing. Why? Because even people on this forum have stated that they believe that he was involved in one or more crimes. While his name is never spoken, it would be very clear to anybody that knows this man who he is.

This could cause his loss of employment, potential harassment, and possible arrest by an overzealous LE officer. I'm actually surprised that they haven't either stopped airing the segment (since his inclusion is presented in the main portion as the only real "lead") or that UM hasn't put a disclaimer on before airing the segment carefully detailing that "Megadeth" had no involvement in the crime portrayed.

You stated (as a fact) that UM could air this program unedited and not face potential issues. Since the only person that could honestly answer that would be an entertainment attorney, I asked if you were. You answered no, so I guess what you stated was an opinion.

If my pointing out logical errors and flaws in critical thinking are seen as being "condescending" that is not my intent. However, we are all adults on here. If you present opinion as fact, it really shouldn't upset you when you are "called on it." You are, after all, an adult and criticism of your ideas is part of being an adult.

How can it be clear to anybody who knows who he is that was him? If it took years and years for him to be found out, how clear was it? How can the guy sue when his name is never mentioned and nobody has any clue who he was for long time and it's not even known if he still looks like that AND they mention in the show that he isn't a suspect anymore?

I guess that's why they threw in the update about "Megadeth" no longer being considered a suspect.
Wish i could find this segment with the update, honestly, even with the update i do NOT think the Megadeth guy was just a "customer" i think he was a thief or shoplifter because what customer pretends to be behind the counter.

Wish i could find this segment with the update, honestly, even with the update i do NOT think the Megadeth guy was just a "customer" i think he was a thief or shoplifter because what customer pretends to be behind the counter.

It's possible that when he walked into an empty store and saw no one was there he pocketed some stuff/was thinking about doing so and freaked out when another customer came in and did the first thing that came to mind. Like a lot of things done with no thought it wasn't very bright.

After that scare he probably said 'forget this' and left without taking anything major. I think at worst he may have lifted some cigarettes or something like that.

Wish i could find this segment with the update, honestly, even with the update i do NOT think the Megadeth guy was just a "customer" i think he was a thief or shoplifter because what customer pretends to be behind the counter.

It's not online, and it was recently aired about a week ago on Lifetime on the Farina hosted show. When I say "just a customer", I don't mean he was squeaky clean. I agree with you that he was up to something nefarious, but I think the authorities are clearing him as "just a customer" as a way to hope for him to come forward without fear of prosecution to see if he witnessed anything suspicious that night. If "Megadeth" was simply looking for the clerk behind the counter, he wouldn't have waited on the cigarette lady. But I think that kind of spooked him which is why he left shortly after.

It's possible that when he walked into an empty store and saw no one was there he pocketed some stuff/was thinking about doing so and freaked out when another customer came in and did the first thing that came to mind. Like a lot of things done with no thought it wasn't very bright. After that scare he probably said 'forget this' and left without taking anything major. I think at worst he may have lifted some cigarettes or something like that.
VERY true, i tend to agree with something like this, Megadeth was far from JUST a customer or innocent bystander, he was either a guy attempting to rob the store or he did steal something (and it went unnoticed)
It's not online, and it was recently aired about a week ago on Lifetime on the Farina hosted show. When I say "just a customer", I don't mean he was squeaky clean. I agree with you that he was up to something nefarious, but I think the authorities are clearing him as "just a customer" as a way to hope for him to come forward without fear of prosecution to see if he witnessed anything suspicious that night. If "Megadeth" was simply looking for the clerk behind the counter, he wouldn't have waited on the cigarette lady. But I think that kind of spooked him which is why he left shortly after.
i know the video isnt online, but i have tried to find the update on the UnsolvedMysteries.com site and didnt see it and like the other poster said, i tend to agree with that theory, i think (when he saw the store empty) he was going to steal either money or stuff from the store, then the customer came in, scared him and he either stole something (and went unnoticed) or he got out of there without stealing, and true, maybe the police are clearing him to get him to come forward, BUT i doubt he does out of fear of having to admit that he was going to steal or rob the store.

I think that Megadeth either was involved or out to commit crime (such as robbing the store). Nothing being stolen from the store, I have to wonder if he was scared off or truly did assault Deborah and abduct her. It seems too coincidental that he happened to be there right in between the gap of her being last seen (a period of about forty minutes, I believe. I think it was at 3:10 the friend claimed he last spoke to Deborah and I know it was 3:50 that he returned to find her gone). If we believe the friend (is he the suspect now in recent times?) that gives a really short gap. I tend to think he was involved, but I have to admit there are various problems to consider with the theory. I absolutely do not think he was an innocent guy having fun pretending to be a clerk; I believe he was out to do no good, whether that involved robbing the store or abducting the clerk.

I think that Megadeth either was involved or out to commit crime (such as robbing the store). Nothing being stolen from the store, I have to wonder if he was scared off or truly did assault Deborah and abduct her. It seems too coincidental that he happened to be there right in between the gap of her being last seen (a period of about forty minutes, I believe. I think it was at 3:10 the friend claimed he last spoke to Deborah and I know it was 3:50 that he returned to find her gone). If we believe the friend (is he the suspect now in recent times?) that gives a really short gap. I tend to think he was involved, but I have to admit there are various problems to consider with the theory. I absolutely do not think he was an innocent guy having fun pretending to be a clerk; I believe he was out to do no good, whether that involved robbing the store or abducting the clerk.

I don't think anyone is disagreeing that he was up to no good. He was obviously behind the counter for nefarious reasons, and it's very likely he was trying to figure out how to open the register. But as for him going in with the express purpose of robbing the store, that's not necessarily the case. He could've simply stopped there to get something, looked around the store and found that there was no cashier, then decided to try and get money out of the register. While trying to figure out how to open it, a customer came in, and he decided to play it cool, thinking if he did, that it wouldn't raise any flags. Then, after she left, he bailed, because he was scared someone else would come in. It's very likely that this was simply an aborted attempt at a crime of opportunity.

I don't think anyone is disagreeing that he was up to no good. He was obviously behind the counter for nefarious reasons, and it's very likely he was trying to figure out how to open the register. But as for him going in with the express purpose of robbing the store, that's not necessarily the case. He could've simply stopped there to get something, looked around the store and found that there was no cashier, then decided to try and get money out of the register. While trying to figure out how to open it, a customer came in, and he decided to play it cool, thinking if he did, that it wouldn't raise any flags. Then, after she left, he bailed, because he was scared someone else would come in. It's very likely that this was simply an aborted attempt at a crime of opportunity.
Bell, i didnt say he was there for that express purpose, i am just giving out ideas, BUT we all pretty much agree that this guy is NOT just "a customer" either he was there to just shop, saw the place empty and then thought, WOW, i can get some money or they planned on this and got scared or this guy was planning on stealing other things while there and got scared off. Anyways, i doubt he's just a customer because normal customers dont play cashier like he did.

Bell, i didnt say he was there for that express purpose, i am just giving out ideas, BUT we all pretty much agree that this guy is NOT just "a customer" either he was there to just shop, saw the place empty and then thought, WOW, i can get some money or they planned on this and got scared or this guy was planning on stealing other things while there and got scared off. Anyways, i doubt he's just a customer because normal customers dont play cashier like he did.

No, he was definitely not simply a customer who decided to play cashier. That I totally agree with. I had read your "out to commit crime" as you saying he went specifically for that purpose. Sorry for the confusion, there. :)

No, he was definitely not simply a customer who decided to play cashier. That I totally agree with. I had read your "out to commit crime" as you saying he went specifically for that purpose. Sorry for the confusion, there. :)

That was me who said "out to commit crime" actually, but I had the same meaning as mw. Believe it or not, some people do think he was role playing as a cashier for fun :lol: :lol: I think the more likely scenario is that he was scared off (if not involved with the clerk's disappearance) and decided not to take anything after all. He was probably in there to get a pack of smokes himself ( ;) ) and then saw that there was no clerk and decided to steal. If involved with Deborah's disappearance, then he was obviously playing it cool until the customer left.

That was me who said "out to commit crime" actually, but I had the same meaning as mw. Believe it or not, some people do think he was role playing as a cashier for fun :lol: :lol: I think the more likely scenario is that he was scared off (if not involved with the clerk's disappearance) and decided not to take anything after all. He was probably in there to get a pack of smokes himself ( ;) ) and then saw that there was no clerk and decided to steal. If involved with Deborah's disappearance, then he was obviously playing it cool until the customer left.

Hahaha...I hadn't looked at who it was who had answered...I had assumed it was the same person who I had responded to :)

I need sleep...lol

And it's funny, because going back and looking at MW's post, that's pretty much exactly what I feel happened :)

I think that the point of this thread has kind of shifted to the role played by the iconic metalhead. To be fair; however, that is the right of the posters and, well, it's also the title of the thread - so maybe I'm wrong. Regardless, I think that the fascination with this guy is a little misplaced.

Believe it or not, some people do think he was role playing as a cashier for fun :lol: :lol:


You can absolutely count me in that group. I could be wrong; it certainly would not be the first time. However, I have an easier time believe that he hopped behind the counter just because he was a goof than he was a criminal-type who somehow let a possible stripper 1/3 his size with a nic fit scare him off. Like I said, I could absolutely be wrong here - regardless, I don't think that this guy is as nefarious as we are making him out to be.

I wonder if this guy knows how famous he is amongst our oddball subculture.

Hahaha...I hadn't looked at who it was who had answered...I had assumed it was the same person who I had responded to :)

I need sleep...lol

And it's funny, because going back and looking at MW's post, that's pretty much exactly what I feel happened :)
hahaha, it's cool, it happens, but we all tend to agree that this guy wasnt just a customer.

somehow let a possible stripper 1/3 his size with a nic fit scare him off.

LOL!

You can absolutely count me in that group. I could be wrong; it certainly would not be the first time. However, I have an easier time believe that he hopped behind the counter just because he was a goof than he was a criminal-type who somehow let a possible stripper 1/3 his size with a nic fit scare him off. Like I said, I could absolutely be wrong here - regardless, I don't think that this guy is as nefarious as we are making him out to be.

I wonder if this guy knows how famous he is amongst our oddball subculture.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude with the laughing faces and opinion about the role play. It's the thought of someone role-playing that made me laugh. I think someone mentioned earlier about how it could have been this guy's "life-long dream to be a cashier in a liquor store" and that set me off. It is a possibility, even if I don't personally believe it.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude with the laughing faces and opinion about the role play. It's the thought of someone role-playing that made me laugh. I think someone mentioned earlier about how it could have been this guy's "life-long dream to be a cashier in a liquor store" and that set me off. It is a possibility, even if I don't personally believe it.


I appreciate that, but there is no need to be sorry - your discourse has been polite and intelligent. I do agree that such a roleplay is silly, but I suspect that most men have done something equally as ridiculous in the presence of an attractive woman (I know I have). Regardless of our differing opinions, at 10+ pages, this is certainly a hot topic.

I think this has been brought up before, but does anyone else find it odd that Deborah's "friend" would show up at 3 o'clock in the morning to discuss housing plans? I've always found that to be very odd.

I think that Megadeth either was involved or out to commit crime (such as robbing the store). Nothing being stolen from the store, I have to wonder if he was scared off or truly did assault Deborah and abduct her. It seems too coincidental that he happened to be there right in between the gap of her being last seen (a period of about forty minutes, I believe. I think it was at 3:10 the friend claimed he last spoke to Deborah and I know it was 3:50 that he returned to find her gone). If we believe the friend (is he the suspect now in recent times?) that gives a really short gap. I tend to think he was involved, but I have to admit there are various problems to consider with the theory. I absolutely do not think he was an innocent guy having fun pretending to be a clerk; I believe he was out to do no good, whether that involved robbing the store or abducting the clerk.

I agree. I think he did it too.

I think this has been brought up before, but does anyone else find it odd that Deborah's "friend" would show up at 3 o'clock in the morning to discuss housing plans? I've always found that to be very odd.

Could be he/she works a late shift, and that was the only time they could get together.

Not trying to :horse: but I find it extremely odd that "Megadeth" would be out attempting to abduct people in such a distinct looking van. Most abductors will drive nondescript vehicles in an attempt to avoid being identified, so why would "Megadeth" be cruising around in his Megadecked out shaggin' wagon? That and the fact that (at least in the re-enactment) "Megadeth" seemed to act friendly and a tad fliratious with the cigarette buying woman tell me he really had nothing to hide and had nothing to do with Deborah's disappearance.

Sorry, but i still cant see the "MedaDeath" guy being just a guy who wanted to play cashier (if someone did say that). I dont think he was scared off by a short woman, i think he was nervous of the next customer being a male or catching him. i tend to think this guy was (at first) a customer, but then he saw an empty store and was going to try to rob the register or steal something in the store, then the woman came in, he played cashier, then when she left, he likely just gave up.

Megadeth looked like a giant in the segment but he wasn't overally tall in real life was he?

I agree with TheCars1986; it's just insane what people do at that our in the morning in the U.S. I remember that lady from the Son of Sam case who took her dog walking at 3:00am. I mean thats just unbelivable :0

In the present day, these are my boyfriends. ;)

Well, I kinda resemble the guy that played "Megadeth" in the segment (except not as tall and don't have a dangle earring or Megadeth t-shirt). ;)

Don't worry, it wasn't me at the store, I was 6 when this happened. :)

Well, I kinda resemble the guy that played "Megadeth" in the segment (except not as tall and don't have a dangle earring or Megadeth t-shirt). ;)

Don't worry, it wasn't me at the store, I was 6 when this happened. :)

Well hello. ;)

Steve, how would you like to be the best UM board couple since LooksLikeCRicci and Dislimb?

:lol:

Well hello. ;)

Steve, how would you like to be the best UM board couple since LooksLikeCRicci and Dislimb?

:lol:

I like it. :)

lol

I think they win for best avatars, though (I know, I'm not holding up my end of that bargain).

I like it. :)

lol

I think they win for best avatars, though (I know, I'm not holding up my end of that bargain).

Definitely. And it's ok--avatarless-ness is not a deal breaker. :lol:

Come on guys, the chances of this Glen Danzig character not being responsible for this disappearance is as likely as getting struck by lightening 3 times. He is the most unlucky guy on earth if he had nothing to do with it ("Hey I think I'll just decide to be a cashier after the clerk mysteriously disappeared.")

He did it -- the question is who is he?

Come on guys, the chances of this Glen Danzig character not being responsible for this disappearance is as likely as getting struck by lightening 3 times. He is the most unlucky guy on earth if he had nothing to do with it ("Hey I think I'll just decide to be a cashier after the clerk mysteriously disappeared.")

He did it -- the question is who is he?

Disagree: Those who think "Megadeth" is responsible assume so based on believing that Poe's guy friend interviewed by police was accurate in his timeline of visiting at 3:10 AM and then coming back at 3:50 AM.

For one thing, this could be inaccurate since there is such a thing as human error and another thing is he could just be flat-out lying. If he's actually the responsible party, then of course it's a lie about coming back to the store at 3:50. It seems that everyone is just taking this "friend" at his word and for what reason?

Disagree: Those who think "Megadeth" is responsible assume so based on believing that Poe's guy friend interviewed by police was accurate in his timeline of visiting at 3:10 AM and then coming back at 3:50 AM.

For one thing, this could be inaccurate since there is such a thing as human error and another thing is he could just be flat-out lying. If he's actually the responsible party, then of course it's a lie about coming back to the store at 3:50. It seems that everyone is just taking this "friend" at his word and for what reason?


Good point. I had forgotten that the witness was a friend. I assumed it was a random customer.

Is it really that unlikely that "Megadeth" would have wandered in the store within the time frame given by the friend of Deborah and not be involved? If Deborah was lured outside by someone she knew, her abduction wouldn't have taken more than mere minutes.

Besides wondering over the guilt or innocence of the Megadeath guy, we should also wonder:

-Who had the motive and/or opportunity to take Poe?
-What was the motive, if we are to believe it was her 'friend'? I ask this because if it was the Megadeath guy, the motive is clear (rape, robbery, etc). But the motive is important and could help finding out who the person was if it was a friend of hers.
-Were there any similar strange disappearances within a 30 to 90 mile radius of Poe's disappearance in the year before, and year after, her abduction? Any murders of women in that area in that period of time? If there were, investigate those disappearances/murders, perhaps there's a link.
-Where's her body? Why hasn't she been found?

I cannot say much about this Megadeth guy, but after getting a good look at him, I can say with great certainty that like a drifter, he was born to walk alone.

I cannot say much about this Megadeth guy, but after getting a good look at him, I can say with great certainty that like a drifter, he was born to walk alone.

And it appears that "there he went again his own, walking down the only road he's ever known." But one thing that gets me is "and he's made up his mind, he is wasting some time" since he was behind the register when it wasn't necessary.

One of the three missing women in this segment (Darlene Messer) went missing from a Lake City, FL store. I have been through Lake City many times while driving through FL. It's a little town right off the Interstate (actually it is near a junction of two Interstates -- I-10 and I-75), so it's a pretty busy rest stop for people either on their way to or coming from south Florida. Anyway, one night it was about 2 A.M and I stopped off in Lake City to get a motel room. I remember the clerk asked me out of the blue if I was wanted for any crimes or on the run. I sort of laughed it off and thought the comment was kinda weird. I didn't know then about Lake City's infamous criminal past. Ted Bundy being the most famous. I would imagine they are used to weirdos coming through their town. There is no way I would ever work at a convenience store in that town.

Come on guys, the chances of this Glen Danzig character not being responsible for this disappearance is as likely as getting struck by lightening 3 times. He is the most unlucky guy on earth if he had nothing to do with it ("Hey I think I'll just decide to be a cashier after the clerk mysteriously disappeared.")

He did it -- the question is who is he?

Wow, are you a psychic? :rolleyes:

Ever watched World's Dumbest? Criminals will do INCREDIBLY stupid things for money, drugs, etc. This Glenn Danzig lookalike probably thought it was his lucky day and decided to rob the place, someone walks in and he hurried up and acted like the cashier. In fact he probably stole that ladies money that she gave him.

Think about it: bloodhounds tracked Deborah's scent to the building beside her apartment building...Megadeth actually MADE her go that close to her apartment building? It HAD to be someone she knew, no?

I cannot say much about this Megadeth guy, but after getting a good look at him, I can say with great certainty that like a drifter, he was born to walk alone.

:lol:

And it appears that "there he went again his own, walking down the only road he's ever known." But one thing that gets me is "and he's made up his mind, he is wasting some time" since he was behind the register when it wasn't necessary.


:lol: :lol: :lol:

Wow, are you a psychic? :rolleyes:

Ever watched World's Dumbest? Criminals will do INCREDIBLY stupid things for money, drugs, etc. This Glenn Danzig lookalike probably thought it was his lucky day and decided to rob the place, someone walks in and he hurried up and acted like the cashier. In fact he probably stole that ladies money that she gave him.

Think about it: bloodhounds tracked Deborah's scent to the building beside her apartment building...Megadeth actually MADE her go that close to her apartment building? It HAD to be someone she knew, no?

Did not know that tidbit about the bloodhound tracking Deborah's scent to her apartment building. That makes Megadeth look that much more innocent. Is it possible she left the store with her friend under the pretense of an emergency? It could explain why she left the store unattended and why she was headed back to her apartment. Someone she knew would be the only one who could have gotten her to leave her job and head back to her apartment (without force), IMO.

I just saw this story today did anyone else see this? A girl had been working the graveyard shift then went missing and then they later found out she wasn't the only girl that went missing. But the strangest thing is a clerk that nobody knew was working when she supposedly dissapered and nobody knew who he was? Was he the the abductor or just a guy? It was very weird was their any update on this?

I really want to know who this guy was.

Come on guys, the chances of this Glen Danzig character not being responsible for this disappearance is as likely as getting struck by lightening 3 times. He is the most unlucky guy on earth if he had nothing to do with it ("Hey I think I'll just decide to be a cashier after the clerk mysteriously disappeared.")

He did it -- the question is who is he?
I know william wells, ad his story and his brother's are very different. William is serving a doudle life +30yrs.

Playing with Google Street View yet again. I found the Circle K Convenience Store that Debra Poe was abducted from. It's located near the corner of Hall Road and Aloma Avenue in Orlando. Again, the picture gets blurry when you zoom in so it's not of the best quality.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Debra1.jpg

Zooming out, you can see the surrounding buildings. There's a house right next to the convenience store and an insurance company right next to the house. For some reason, I always pictured this store on a lonely highway in the middle of nowhere. Obviously I was wrong.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Debra2.jpg

This last photo shows what is across the street from the convenience store. Plenty of homes fenced in. It's a nice sized residential neighborhood. Further proof that the store is right in the middle of town.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Debra3.jpg

Good photos! It's interesting to see what these places really look like as opposed to how they're portrayed on tv or what we imagine they look like.

I was always under the belief that Megadeth entered the store as a regular customer, didnt see the clerk and saw an opportunity to possibly steal money from the cash drawer and/or steal items. He was likely either trying or about to try to open the drawer when that other woman came in....he was stuck behind the counter so his move was to pretend to be the clerk. After she leaves, he probably got spooked and got his ass out of there. We know he didnt steal any money but maybe he swiped some cigarettes or beer....who knows. I certainly dont think this guy is a saint, but there's obviously a big difference between someone who tries to take advantage of an opportunity and steal a few hundred bucks, and someone who abducts and kills another person.

I heard that on the Farina update they said the cops believed Megadeth was just a customer....and that they suspect Debra's "friend". Did they specify whether the friend they suspect is the same friend that showed up at 4am and reported her missing? Or is it another friend?

Playing with Google Street View yet again. I found the Circle K Convenience Store that Debra Poe was abducted from. It's located near the corner of Hall Road and Aloma Avenue in Orlando. Again, the picture gets blurry when you zoom in so it's not of the best quality.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Debra1.jpg

Zooming out, you can see the surrounding buildings. There's a house right next to the convenience store and an insurance company right next to the house. For some reason, I always pictured this store on a lonely highway in the middle of nowhere. Obviously I was wrong.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Debra2.jpg

This last photo shows what is across the street from the convenience store. Plenty of homes fenced in. It's a nice sized residential neighborhood. Further proof that the store is right in the middle of town.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Debra3.jpg

The area has almost certainly changed greatly since Ms. Poe's disappearance.
Great pics, though

I heard that on the Farina update they said the cops believed Megadeth was just a customer....and that they suspect Debra's "friend". Did they specify whether the friend they suspect is the same friend that showed up at 4am and reported her missing? Or is it another friend?

They never specified, so I'm assuming it was another friend of Debra's other than the one featured in the segment.

Thanks for those pics. This case has always fascinated me. I'm actually moving to Orlando at the end of May....and at some point when I get down there I think I'll take a drive over to the convenient store, just to get a feel for the store, parking lot and area itself.

Be careful to watch out for long-haired guys with dangle earrings and "Megadeth" t-shirts while you're there! :eek: ;)

If the megadeath guy watches UM and has seen this case and did not do anything I wonder what's going through his mind...

If the megadeath guy watches UM and has seen this case and did not do anything I wonder what's going through his mind...

"Uh-oh..."

"Uh-oh..."

lol, I'm guessing he's probably done that by now

I guess it's not really funny, but I usually laugh when there's a case involving a suspect or criminal who is caught and right before he/she is caught, it's stated that they happened to be watching UM (sometimes with other people) when they themselves are profiled on it and it's stated that they started to get really nervous (uh, can we watch something else? I think I've seen this one before; yeah, that's the ticket).

lol, I'm guessing he's probably done that by now

I guess it's not really funny, but I usually laugh when there's a case involving a suspect or criminal who is caught and right before he/she is caught, it's stated that they happened to be watching UM (sometimes with other people) when they themselves are profiled on it and it's stated that they started to get really nervous (uh, can we watch something else? I think I've seen this one before; yeah, that's the ticket).

One of my favorites, from the Roger Wheeler murder update:

The suspect, Louis Dellaguillo, was watching with a friend, and allegedly claimed "they'd never pin the murder on him." As it turns out, his "friend"--was a police informant. (Stack smirk) :p

Someone recently posted an interesting video on another website about Deborah Poe anyone else seen it?

No mention of Megadeth which is interesting.