Could have been prevented if cell phones were always as prevalent as today? This is a thought that has went through my mind when going through a lot of episodes as of late. There have been countless cases to go under this banner.

Here's some that come to mind:

Angela Hammond-no need to use a payphone
Gord and Jackie McAlister-call to report before opening door to their trailer
Dick Hansen-call the cops while being stalked
Dwayne McCorkendale-again, no need for pay phones

I always think of this while considering the Jeremy Bright case.

If that incident had occurred only ten or so years later, with the way cell phones have permeated society, chances are that his disappearance would have been solved.
Even if he himself had not made a distress call, the traceability of cell transmissions could have given investigators a clearer picutre of his movements on that fateful day.
It is also probable that his abscence would have been noticed sooner; if his friends and family had realized that he was unreachable even just a few hours sooner than they had, the outcome of this tragic case could have been totally different.

Here are three similar discussions on this topic:

How the internet, facebook, and cell phones would have changed UM http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=276065&highlight=cell

Crimes that could have been saved [solved?] by cell phones http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=268547&highlight=cell

Cases that never would have happened had there been cell phones http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=191330&highlight=cell

I just seen this case today on mystery detectives on hln, it was also an unsolved mysteries case.
about a guy who picked up a hitch hiker who then tells him he needs to get out. But then attacks with a screw driver he found on the floor, he runs outside, then convinces the man he will drive him to his destination. But hurries up and drives away.
He just drove around for 20 minutes, and then saw the man at his house looking around. which the guy was, and the guy actually goes in and kills his mother. Then he goes and calls the police some wheres.
With a cell phone obviously this would never of happened

they did finally catch the guy through DNA. and he said he did murder the mother because he was on drugs, of course. and that it was the first house he could find. It wasn't that he was trying to get revenge.

really really freaky case. that is one case that always sticks with me. esp. with the sketch drawings. well. sketch drawings always freaks me out.

That's so true. I can totally picture Miss Dot doing that. That gal sure craved attention! I heard she once went to Ohio's state fair and began screaming at all of the terrified revelers to smack her with a bullwhip... of course, she wanted the cops to think it was all unintentional on her part.

:confused: