I recently saw another episode, this one about eric tamiyasu. He had been on a date with a woman, they were hanging out at his house and both had heard a weird tapping noise and then the doorbell rang later. Eric and his date went to check it out, they heard footsteps, but didn't see anyone. The next morning, his friend Don Dixon came to check on him and found his burned body on his bed. The sheriff decided to dispose of eric's bed, by burning it, because his reasoning was he didnt' want to 'cause anymore pain for the Tamiyasu family. Turned out that Eric had been shot twice in the head.
the interesting thing about this case was that there are three suspects:

Don Dixon: Who had called himself eric's close friend and confidante. He was the one who discovered eric's body and had called eric's sister Ramona to tell her of the unfortunate news. The weird thing was, he had told Ramona something like there were no exit wounds. She had thought it was odd, because how had Don known that eric was shot? Second, according to another suspect, he had said that no one had heard of Don Dixon and the way that Eric had described Don, was that Don was just someone he bought sprays from, for his orchard farm. So it seems like Don is not as close to Eric as he claimed he is.

Second suspect, Eric (cant' recall the last name)~ according to Don, this Eric guy was someone that Tamiyasu had had some business dealings with. Both men had participated in investing equally in a used car business, which was a bad investment and then one day, Don claims he overheard Eric and Tamiyasu arguing up a storm about a business deal, something about Eric doing something unethical. This suspect claims there was no argument and that it's all in Don's head. Said he and Tamiyasu were very close.

Third suspect-the sheriff~ He had been the one who had ordered that Eric's beddings be burned, for the sake of the Tamiyasu family. Seems suspicious, considering, the bed was the only lead to a solid piece of evidence. Another thing, according to Don, Eric had confided in him that he was seeing a Polynesian woman. Coincidentally (or not), the only Polynesian woman in the area was the Sheriff's wife. Could the sheriff had found out about the affair somehow and decided to take matters into his own hands?

What do you guys think of this? Who do you speculate could have done this to Eric Tamiyasu?

Godzookie!!

:lol:

I wonder why no posts have been made regarding this case. This case is on the bizarre murders DVD and to me, it seems that Don Dixon is the most suspicious of the three suspects. PLEASE, If anyone has any links or posts about this, let me know. I am surprised that more debate hasn't presented itself on this message board about this case. Any thoughts on why?

I wonder why no posts have been made regarding this case. This case is on the bizarre murders DVD and to me, it seems that Don Dixon is the most suspicious of the three suspects. PLEASE, If anyone has any links or posts about this, let me know. I am surprised that more debate hasn't presented itself on this message board about this case. Any thoughts on why?

Maybe we've been too focused on other cases? Just a thought.

Do you have a theory Kane?

Do you have a theory Kane?

Well, I can tell you that it was very suspicious that Sheriff Joe Wampler would have the bed destroyed. It was claimed that this was done to spare Tamiyasu's family the stress of viewing the horrid items that were left behind at the scene of his death. If you ask me, that is nothing short of nonsense. I think the real reason the bed was detroyed was because it contained incriminating evidence. I think Wampler and Don Dixon both played a role in Eric Tamiyasu's death.

In any case, Tamiyasu had to have been killed by someone he knew. Investigators speculate that the killer knew the location of the Tamiyasu home, and its layout.

I would think the sheriff is a very probable susupect due to the fact that as a low enforcement officer he should know the importance of evidence and by DESTROYING the most impt piece of evidence, I would think it points to his guilt. I wonder if the detectives working on this case have questioned him.

I wonder if the detectives working on this case have questioned him.
i highly doubt it lol...........when cops are implicated,other cops verry rarely press the issue of said cop's guilt.

I personally knew Eric, he was a close family friend. It has been bothering me since he was murdered. Don Dixon is my number one suspect because one- he said " I even helped Eric install his security alarm. Eric and I were the only ones who knew the code." When Eric was murdered the alarm didn't go off. Two- if I was told to burn Eric's bedding I would have said no because he was a friend and it was truley stupid. Three- my cousin was one of Eric's best friends for over 30 years and not once did he hear the name Don Dixon until Eric was murdered. I was suspicious of Wampler until the funeral. Dixon said so much stuff that made me turn to him. I even have it on tape. It took 5 days til Eric's body was found. Of course Dixon said he was the last person to see Eric alive and what do you know, he was also the one who found him.

well now this is a rather weird case to begin with, with no obvious motives for this man to be dead kind of makes it hard to speculate on a suspect.. in truth all of the named individuals can be considered persons of interest.. One thing for sure is that you can most definitely believe that the police officials handling this case made a mess of that. And one would have to wonder 'WHY" perhaps that police chief is more than meets the eye if I had to name a suspect he would be my focal person of interest! But then again they all willingly took lie detector test except Mr. Dixon wonder what he has to hide so? Perhaps he is the killer! and is hiding behind the ruse of being a friend that is morning.

Dixon was, the only one who refused a lie detector test out of all the suspects, also one of the only people in this town with the kind of gun used to kill eric. I don't trust Wampler but I know that Dixon is a lot more suspicious

This is a strange case, mostly for the lack of an idetified motive for the most interesting suspect: Don Dixon. Dixon is of special interest if we can take Eric's sister at her word, and assume Dixon did make the strange comment about looking for bullet holes immediately after finding the body. But the UM segment doesn't even suggest a reason why Don Dixon might have wanted Eric dead that I recall.

The sherriff evidently took a lie detector test (not sure if he passed), but his decision to allow the person who discovered the body to burn the bed the body was on is also very, very suspiscious in my opinion. What is striking to me is that he was not even fired for this! At best, this was an egregious lapse in judgement and a violation of standard police procedure. Even if he is totally innocent, how can he be allowed to keep his job as head of even a small police force?

The third suspect who was identified seems the least likely to be involved of the three, and financial records appeared to clear him of any "substantial" motive (if Eric owed him money, it was less than $20,000). People have been killed for less, to be sure, but... they were friends for a long time, and killing him doesn't get the friend his money back. Doesn't add up.

The segment leads off, of course, with Eric and the woman (I forget her name off hand) having a first date at Eric's house, and while that is going on there is tapping coming at doors and windows from an unidentified person. They never really get into it, but I'd like to know the background of this woman a little bit: who were her last two or three boyfriends? Any chance any of them, in a jealous rage, followed her out there, waited for her to leave, and then gained access to Eric's house and shot him while he slept? That scenario seems at least as likely to me as any of the others UM presented.

I also wondered if it could have been a racially motivated thing: if someone was harassing the two of them while they were in Eric's house simply because he was Asian and she was white, and then killed him for it after she left. I think this is also a viable possibility.

Dixon was, the only one who refused a lie detector test out of all the suspects, also one of the only people in this town with the kind of gun used to kill eric. I don't trust Wampler but I know that Dixon is a lot more suspicious

I don't suppose we'll be hearing from this poster again, since he only has three posts and the last was in November 2005, but I'd like to know on what authority he has this. It seems to me, if it is true, they would have enough probable cause to get a search warrant, get the gun, and test it against the slug found in Eric's head. Of course, maybe the gun is missing and was only registered to Mr. Dixon, but I guess we'll never know.

Hi Everyone:

Just a quick side note, did anyone else see Sheriff Joe Wampler on TV recently?

Sheriff Wampler appeared on CNN and other national programs giving status reports on the highly publicized search for missing CNET editor James Kim and his family. So, Mr. Wampler has obviously not been charged and convicted for Eric's murder.

Christopher

Didn't see that, but it's good to know. Actually, it's bad to know. He should be F-I-R-E-D FIRED!

And possibly arrested on suspiscion of murder.

I wonder why no posts have been made regarding this case. This case is on the bizarre murders DVD and to me, it seems that Don Dixon is the most suspicious of the three suspects. PLEASE, If anyone has any links or posts about this, let me know. I am surprised that more debate hasn't presented itself on this message board about this case. Any thoughts on why?

I just watched this case for the first time on the DVD last night and my first instinct was that Dixon was the one who did it because he was the one telling stories about the other two suspects - i.e. Dixon was supposedly told by Eric that he was dating an older Polynesian woman, the only one in the area being the sheriff's wife, and then the argument that he supposedly witnessed between the other suspect and Eric. The only thing that troubles me about Dixon is that I don't know what his motive would be. I also agree with others on here that the sheriff was incompetent as it relates to this case.

Don Dixon is my #1 suspect. Although all three were suspicious, I just didn't buy his story and there was something shady about him. And yes, I did see Joe Wamper on CNN or some channel like that discussing a case. I don't feel he had anything to do with it, besides being an idiot and burning evidence! Okay, well....the more I think about it that is kind of odd...........

I've stated this in another post a while back, but of all the possible suspects in this case, I found Dixon had one of the strangest comments. When he called Eric's sister, he found the body on the bed, and made the comment "there doesn't appear to be any exit wounds". Just a very strange thing to say after the discovery of a body. The first thing I would have said would be to call the police.

This is a very weird case, to say the least. It's pretty obvious that Tamiyasu's friend Eric didn't do it, he had a motive but thats it, never did anything suspicious to incriminate himself, so I would cross him off the list of suspects. Now we're down to Don Dixon and the Sherriff. As for the sherriff, burning the bed was something VERY suspicious, but I think it could have been just a downright stupid thing to do. As for Don Dixon, he made some VERY strange, basically incriminating comments. The strangest of which has to be the comment about there being no exit wounds on the body. Another thing I find strange is his comments about how Eric told him he was seeing a Polynesian woman. It was known that Tamiyasu's friend Eric was a close friend of his yet he knew nothing of a Polynesian women dating Eric. His comment sounds like a comment of someone trying to place the blame on another person. Another theory that is a little out there...remember the case about Brook Baker, the journalism stundent that was murdered in her dorm? There were lots of theories about who murdered her...angry frat students who were pissed because she knew too much about a date rape...her strange landlord who peered into her room at all hours of the day...even her cousin may have "known too much that she wouldnt tell." But as it turned out, a random stranger named Brian something raped and murdered her for no apparent motive. What if Tamiyasu's murder was a random act of violence? It seems a little out there, but I would say its a possibility, although Don Dixon seems to be the biggest suspect.

I'm still curious about the woman Tamiyasu was seeing in his house the night he died, and the curious tapping that she claims they heard prior to his death. If it's true, I'd think the likeliest motive is someone who was either secretly in love with or had once dated her followed her that night, waited for her to leave, and then got into the Tamiyasu home and shot him.

Of course, we have only her word that even happened. Is it possible she did it, perhaps angry at something he may have said that night (like, "I like you as a friend, but I don't want to date")?

Don Dixon seems very suspiscious, but without any motive, I'm surprised explanations centering around that woman Tamiyasu was with that night and her past relationships were not at least touched upon in the UM segment, or anywhere else that I can find.

Mozart, you do bring up a few good points about the woman he was seeing, but I really dont think anyone wouls murder someone because he didnt want to go out. Maybe the woman was in on it though, she could have been friends with Don Dixon and he asked if she would tell a story about tapping sounds to bring attention away from Dixon? I really dont know.

I've always wondered if the "Sherrif Wampler's wife" rumors were going around before or after the murder.

If they were commonplace BEFORE the murder then him ordering the bed to be burned smacks of him trying to destroy any evidence that his wife was ever in that bed. He knows a thorough investigation of the death scene is coming, is as suspicious of his wife as everyone else, perhaps even knows that she has been with Mr, Tomayasou, and wants to avoid any of his wife's hairs, fingerprints, or...ahem...DNA...being discovered on his bed.

I just got done watching this and decided to search the internet to see if they found out who really murdered him. I really believe Don Dixon murdered Eric. The other two suspects (sheriff and eric) were made suspects because of Don Dixon's stories. I think he made both stories up and was looking to implicate others as suspects to divert suspicion away from him. Don Dixon said he got in the house through the back door with a key that Eric gave him. Why would Eric give him a key? Are any of Eric's friends aware of Don Dixon being an actual friend of Eric's? At the very beginning of the segment, Don Dixon says for several days he had received calls from other people looking for Eric and that's why he went to Eric's house. Was this really true? Who were these people that called him looking for Eric? As far as the sheriff suggesting burning the bed, was it really his idea, or did Don Dixon say something to him or suggest to the sheriff it might be painful for family members to see the bed he died in. I find it odd that the sheriff asked Don Dixon to burn the bed. There's something more to it. I believe it was Don Dixon's idea to burn the bed, but somehow manipulated the sheriff into thinking it was his (sheriff) idea.

I just got done watching this and decided to search the internet to see if they found out who really murdered him. I really believe Don Dixon murdered Eric. The other two suspects (sheriff and eric) were made suspects because of Don Dixon's stories. I think he made both stories up and was looking to implicate others as suspects to divert suspicion away from him. Don Dixon said he got in the house through the back door with a key that Eric gave him. Why would Eric give him a key? Are any of Eric's friends aware of Don Dixon being an actual friend of Eric's? At the very beginning of the segment, Don Dixon says for several days he had received calls from other people looking for Eric and that's why he went to Eric's house. Was this really true? Who were these people that called him looking for Eric? As far as the sheriff suggesting burning the bed, was it really his idea, or did Don Dixon say something to him or suggest to the sheriff it might be painful for family members to see the bed he died in. I find it odd that the sheriff asked Don Dixon to burn the bed. There's something more to it. I believe it was Don Dixon's idea to burn the bed, but somehow manipulated the sheriff into thinking it was his (sheriff) idea.


I second that. Don Dixon is the only one in the whole segment that points any fingers. And those alligator tears....c'mon now!

Don Dixon does seem fake. There are quite a few segments on UM where you can look right through some of these people and tell they are lying, and I think he's one of them.

Well I havent been on here obviously in 2 years.. lol..I was having problems trying to log in with my original screenname DRAGONFLY333221 so I created a new one... and first off I am a girl ...
but nobody has ever been charged in Eric's murder... According to my cousin who was one of Eric's best friends.. They have another suspect and they have had him for a few years now.. but obviously they dont have any evidence thanks to our moronic sheriff.. So sadly this case will probably be remained unsolved.. I still believe it was Dixon based on the way he ran his mouth at Eric's funeral.. I have it on tape somewhere... but yeah who knows.. Hopefully someday they can solve it so it can help all of us who knew Eric justice.. I knew him since I was a baby so it aggravates me that they never talk about it or try to do anything to solve it anymore..

ILSE

Neither my cousin nor his other friends had ever heard of Don until after Eric was murdered... and my cousin talked to Eric at least once or twice a week.. Don didnt hang out with any of them.. and according to Don at Eric's funeral.. He did Landscaping for Eric so that is how he got a key.. but see the alarm never went off... and I knew Eric... he would never have left it off.. and Don was the only one who knew the code besides Eric.. he said so himself.. I personally think they should have got a search warrant for his house... but yeah the cops in Hood River blow... My friends mom has been missing for 3 years and they still havent done jack**** in her case either

Well I havent been on here obviously in 2 years.. lol..I was having problems trying to log in with my original screenname DRAGONFLY333221 so I created a new one... and first off I am a girl ...
but nobody has ever been charged in Eric's murder... According to my cousin who was one of Eric's best friends.. They have another suspect and they have had him for a few years now.. but obviously they dont have any evidence thanks to our moronic sheriff.. So sadly this case will probably be remained unsolved.. I still believe it was Dixon based on the way he ran his mouth at Eric's funeral.. I have it on tape somewhere... but yeah who knows.. Hopefully someday they can solve it so it can help all of us who knew Eric justice.. I knew him since I was a baby so it aggravates me that they never talk about it or try to do anything to solve it anymore..

ILSE

Neither my cousin nor his other friends had ever heard of Don until after Eric was murdered... and my cousin talked to Eric at least once or twice a week.. Don didnt hang out with any of them.. and according to Don at Eric's funeral.. He did Landscaping for Eric so that is how he got a key.. but see the alarm never went off... and I knew Eric... he would never have left it off.. and Don was the only one who knew the code besides Eric.. he said so himself.. I personally think they should have got a search warrant for his house... but yeah the cops in Hood River blow... My friends mom has been missing for 3 years and they still havent done jack**** in her case either
that's interesting thanks for the info.

the sheriff is an idiot and he should be a suspect if he's that stupid to burn evidence. dixon goes without saying and if he were as loving and smart as he thinks he is....he wouldn't of burned the mattress and would have taken the issue to the next level of law enforcement authority. I guess in some way it could be a random act. It could of been someone else not featured on the show. If someone were bothering the girl, she may have known about it and one would think she would of reported it. Who knows. What we do know from the UM seg is that the sheriff and dixon are both idiots(the way the show portrayed them). and both of them should be under investigation.

I dont think it was a random act because where Eric lived was in like the middle of nowhere... well I mean he had this huge area to himself for a mile or so at least.. and to get to his place you had to go up this steep ass hill.. I dont think a robber would be willing to go through all that trouble to rob and kill someone who didnt have nearly as much as most of the people in this town do...

I could see it being Wampler: there weren't any signs of a struggle as I recall, which would make sense since Tamiyasu would naturally figure that he could trust a Sheriff: but us UM fans know better.....ohh, snap! :lol:

I'm surprised they didn't play out the random perp angle more, though. That might explain the noises Tamiyasu and his girlfriend heard that night.

one of the more interesting later murder cases, so many possibilities....

This is what I speculate could have happened:

I think that Eric Tamiyasu and Don Dixon had a strictly business related relationship. However, I believe that Dixon felt that their relationship extended to friendship as well. Whether or not Dixon has a lot of friends in the area I don't know, but he comes off as a type of person who might cling to someone who is friendly towards him. My feeling is that at some point, Don Dixon overstepped his boundaries with his relationship with Tamiyasu, causing an argument in which Eric probably told Don that they weren't friends and that Don should back off. Don probably thought that they were good friends while Eric probably saw Don as a rather annoying business associate. I feel that Don Dixon was much more attached to Eric's life than Eric was to Don's.
When Don Dixon realized that Eric didn't see him as the same type of close friend that Don did, he probably plotted to kill Eric. Don then devised a scheme to help place the blame on other people besides him. This would explain why he started the rumor about the sheriff's wife, as well as starting a rumor about a false argument between Eric and his friend Eric Smith.
The bed burning situation, although interesting, can probably be summed up as botched police work. According to UM, the police did not even realize that Eric had been shot until he was examined later on. When police first saw the body, they thought that Eric had died from some natural causes, as the bullet wounds to his head weren't immediately apparent. Now this is where it gets a little nasty...When a dead body just lays in one spot for five days like Eric's did, it decomposes and leaves bodily fluids in the spot where it lies. This means that Eric's bed (the spot where he laid dead) probably had bodily fluids all over it, and it probably had a pretty awful stench to it. According to the UM segment, the sheriff believed that the family would want to be saved from having to see Eric's bodily fluids all over his bed. I know that if a family member of mine died, I wouldn't want to see the area that he/she laid dead for almost a week. I imagine it would be pretty foul. So the sheriff, under the impression that foul play had not occurred decided that there was no reason to keep the bed intact. Once they realized that Eric had been shot, they more than likely kicked themselves for destroying the best piece of evidence they had.
The police were probably lied to by Don Dixon, as he more than likely claimed to be good friends with Eric and offered to assist as needed. When approached by the sheriff to burn the bed, I'm sure Dixon was more than happy to destroy the only piece of evidence they had. From then on, I believe we have seen Don Dixon's attempt to win an academy award. When watching the UM segment, take note of how artificial Don's reaction is when talking about finding Eric's body. When talking about finding his body, Dixon takes what seems to me to be a staged pause-for-crying moment and says "I said a prayer, and then called the police". He looks like he's pretending to get choked up for the camera.
The only person to have claimed anything about the alleged affair or the argument with Eric Smith is Don Dixon. As far as I know, no one else had been told by Eric Tamiyasu that he was seeing a Polynesian, nor had he told anyone else about this supposed argument between him and Eric Smith.
Dixon appears to me to be someone who was living in this fantasy world where he thought that him and Eric were best friends, and when Tamiyasu shattered that fantasy, Don decided that "if he couldn't have Eric as a friend, than no one could".


Very good analysis. My thoughts exactly.

I just watched this segment and Don Dixon seems to have the most involvement to me. The suspicious way the Sheriff Joe Wampler acted during the initial investigation and in the UM interview casts some suspicion on him as well, but not as much as Don Dixon and the way he interjected himself close into the investigation by finding the body, asking if they had found exit wounds and subsequent comments on examining the body for these exit wounds (even suggesting Eric possibly committing suicide as well), burning the bed (even if it were at the insistence of the man who Don Dixon says Eric had been banging the Sheriff's wife), claiming that he overheard Eric Smith and the victim have a heated argument over some money debt that Don would have never should have interjecting himself into hearing or hear if he was just a casual business associate. It seems that Don Dixon seemed to know a lot more about things than a normal acquaintance or business associate (guy who Eric bought spray from) should have. He had a key to Eric's house and possibly got it made himself from Eric's set after he probably killed him because why would Eric give Don his house key if he was just a passing acquaintance?

So he was the only one in this case that tried to get into the investigation where he didn't belong and who put some blame on the other two suspects in the segment. Also, if what Don Dixon was saying about the other two suspects in the segment were true, then why would he help to cover up what was an obvious murder unless he was involved? I think Don Dixon also brought himself into the UM segment a little too much and it seemed as if he was trying to play sleuth in this case and cast blame on others. I'm surprised that he didn't appear in the segment as himself in the re-enactment.

I also wonder who it was that knocked and left before Eric was able to answer the door and who rang the doorbell later that night and left again while that ladyfriend of Eric's was there with him. It had to be the killer just waiting for Diana Anderson to leave so he would be alone with Eric.

Also, Don Dixon comments in the segment that the only people he knew for sure didn't kill Eric Tamiyasu were he and his wife and that everyone else is a suspect, doesn't that strike any of you as a strange thing to say (to again cast blame on others)? Dude is suspicious as hell throughout this case.

Also, Don Dixon comments in the segment that the only people he knew for sure didn't kill Eric Tamiyasu were he and his wife and that everyone else is a suspect, doesn't that strike any of you as a strange thing to say (to again cast blame on others)? Dude is suspicious as hell throughout this case.

Reminds me of the famous Homer Simpson quote: "Everyone is stupid except for me!" :lol:

I agree... Don Dixon sticks out like a sore thumb on the guilt tree. "Of course I didn't do it, but anyone else could have." Riiiight...

This is what I speculate could have happened:

I think that Eric Tamiyasu and Don Dixon had a strictly business related relationship. However, I believe that Dixon felt that their relationship extended to friendship as well. Whether or not Dixon has a lot of friends in the area I don't know, but he comes off as a type of person who might cling to someone who is friendly towards him. My feeling is that at some point, Don Dixon overstepped his boundaries with his relationship with Tamiyasu, causing an argument in which Eric probably told Don that they weren't friends and that Don should back off. Don probably thought that they were good friends while Eric probably saw Don as a rather annoying business associate. I feel that Don Dixon was much more attached to Eric's life than Eric was to Don's.
When Don Dixon realized that Eric didn't see him as the same type of close friend that Don did, he probably plotted to kill Eric. Don then devised a scheme to help place the blame on other people besides him. This would explain why he started the rumor about the sheriff's wife, as well as starting a rumor about a false argument between Eric and his friend Eric Smith.
The bed burning situation, although interesting, can probably be summed up as botched police work. According to UM, the police did not even realize that Eric had been shot until he was examined later on. When police first saw the body, they thought that Eric had died from some natural causes, as the bullet wounds to his head weren't immediately apparent. Now this is where it gets a little nasty...When a dead body just lays in one spot for five days like Eric's did, it decomposes and leaves bodily fluids in the spot where it lies. This means that Eric's bed (the spot where he laid dead) probably had bodily fluids all over it, and it probably had a pretty awful stench to it. According to the UM segment, the sheriff believed that the family would want to be saved from having to see Eric's bodily fluids all over his bed. I know that if a family member of mine died, I wouldn't want to see the area that he/she laid dead for almost a week. I imagine it would be pretty foul. So the sheriff, under the impression that foul play had not occurred decided that there was no reason to keep the bed intact. Once they realized that Eric had been shot, they more than likely kicked themselves for destroying the best piece of evidence they had.
The police were probably lied to by Don Dixon, as he more than likely claimed to be good friends with Eric and offered to assist as needed. When approached by the sheriff to burn the bed, I'm sure Dixon was more than happy to destroy the only piece of evidence they had. From then on, I believe we have seen Don Dixon's attempt to win an academy award. When watching the UM segment, take note of how artificial Don's reaction is when talking about finding Eric's body. When talking about finding his body, Dixon takes what seems to me to be a staged pause-for-crying moment and says "I said a prayer, and then called the police". He looks like he's pretending to get choked up for the camera.
The only person to have claimed anything about the alleged affair or the argument with Eric Smith is Don Dixon. As far as I know, no one else had been told by Eric Tamiyasu that he was seeing a Polynesian, nor had he told anyone else about this supposed argument between him and Eric Smith.
Dixon appears to me to be someone who was living in this fantasy world where he thought that him and Eric were best friends, and when Tamiyasu shattered that fantasy, Don decided that "if he couldn't have Eric as a friend, than no one could".

I like that theory. It's sound and it makes sense. I got the impression that Don Dixon did not have many friends, and "losing" his "best friend" probably make him blow a gasket.

Yes, that is a perfect theory actually and it fits with what Eric Smith said: "Don lives in a fantasy world." And yes, that thing Don said about finding Eric's body, saying a prayer, and calling police came across as playing for the camera and the sympathy of the viewers. I know if I came across a friend's dead body under those circumstances in an isolated area like that, you best believe that I would leave that house with the quickness (and call the police from elsewhere) fearing that the killer was still there. But he didn't fear the killer because he was the killer.

I could definitely see Don not having many or any friends and Eric looked and seemed like a popular guy that could have been stalked by Don. It all seems to fit together.

This case is so weird...at the end if proboly they do find out who it was it would proboly be the least expected person.....I think the sheriff and don where the most suspicious ones but i can't belive that the hood river police hasnt done nothing to the sheriff or to don, as far as i know joe wampler was reelected as a sheriff again or something like that barely so that means he wasn't fired....Hood river is a creepy place lots of things have happen there like in hood river and Mt. Hood people have gone missing with no one ever finding them look at this link the part where it says Murder Mysteries Remain:

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/ArcStoryPage.asp?Database=Story&StoryID=3244


everything is all so twisted is hella creepy, that would be so scary living in a small town like that.

(sorry got quite off topic:))

This case is so weird...at the end if proboly they do find out who it was it would proboly be the least expected person.....I think the sheriff and don where the most suspicious ones but i can't belive that the hood river police hasnt done nothing to the sheriff or to don, as far as i know joe wampler was reelected as a sheriff again or something like that barely so that means he wasn't fired....Hood river is a creepy place lots of things have happen there like in hood river and Mt. Hood people have gone missing with no one ever finding them look at this link the part where it says Murder Mysteries Remain:

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/ArcStoryPage.asp?Database=Story&StoryID=3244


everything is all so twisted is hella creepy, that would be so scary living in a small town like that.

(sorry got quite off topic:))

Link is not working...

This is what I speculate could have happened:

I think that Eric Tamiyasu and Don Dixon had a strictly business related relationship. However, I believe that Dixon felt that their relationship extended to friendship as well. Whether or not Dixon has a lot of friends in the area I don't know, but he comes off as a type of person who might cling to someone who is friendly towards him. My feeling is that at some point, Don Dixon overstepped his boundaries with his relationship with Tamiyasu, causing an argument in which Eric probably told Don that they weren't friends and that Don should back off. Don probably thought that they were good friends while Eric probably saw Don as a rather annoying business associate. I feel that Don Dixon was much more attached to Eric's life than Eric was to Don's.
When Don Dixon realized that Eric didn't see him as the same type of close friend that Don did, he probably plotted to kill Eric. Don then devised a scheme to help place the blame on other people besides him. This would explain why he started the rumor about the sheriff's wife, as well as starting a rumor about a false argument between Eric and his friend Eric Smith.
The bed burning situation, although interesting, can probably be summed up as botched police work. According to UM, the police did not even realize that Eric had been shot until he was examined later on. When police first saw the body, they thought that Eric had died from some natural causes, as the bullet wounds to his head weren't immediately apparent. Now this is where it gets a little nasty...When a dead body just lays in one spot for five days like Eric's did, it decomposes and leaves bodily fluids in the spot where it lies. This means that Eric's bed (the spot where he laid dead) probably had bodily fluids all over it, and it probably had a pretty awful stench to it. According to the UM segment, the sheriff believed that the family would want to be saved from having to see Eric's bodily fluids all over his bed. I know that if a family member of mine died, I wouldn't want to see the area that he/she laid dead for almost a week. I imagine it would be pretty foul. So the sheriff, under the impression that foul play had not occurred decided that there was no reason to keep the bed intact. Once they realized that Eric had been shot, they more than likely kicked themselves for destroying the best piece of evidence they had.
The police were probably lied to by Don Dixon, as he more than likely claimed to be good friends with Eric and offered to assist as needed. When approached by the sheriff to burn the bed, I'm sure Dixon was more than happy to destroy the only piece of evidence they had. From then on, I believe we have seen Don Dixon's attempt to win an academy award. When watching the UM segment, take note of how artificial Don's reaction is when talking about finding Eric's body. When talking about finding his body, Dixon takes what seems to me to be a staged pause-for-crying moment and says "I said a prayer, and then called the police". He looks like he's pretending to get choked up for the camera.
The only person to have claimed anything about the alleged affair or the argument with Eric Smith is Don Dixon. As far as I know, no one else had been told by Eric Tamiyasu that he was seeing a Polynesian, nor had he told anyone else about this supposed argument between him and Eric Smith.
Dixon appears to me to be someone who was living in this fantasy world where he thought that him and Eric were best friends, and when Tamiyasu shattered that fantasy, Don decided that "if he couldn't have Eric as a friend, than no one could".

That is something I've been considering. It's a very plausible theory. Don Dixon did it. I think what he perceived as friendship by Eric, or possibly more, was strictly business and Eric told him. Seeing Eric with a date that night, he wanted to scare her off. I think seeing Eric with someone else po'ed Don. Don either had a crush or just saw the woman as someone standing in the way of his "great friendship" with Eric. If he couldn't "have" Eric, no one could.

Link is not working...
Okay Hope it works here it is again:
Its not that important though:]

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/ArcStoryPage.asp?Database=Story&StoryID=3244

look at the part where it says "Murder Mysteries Remain"

Don Dixon obviously did it.

He lied like **** in the interviews. First of all, he was never Tamiyasu's friend. Second, Tamisyasu and Smith never had an argument, and he said that Smith owed him $50,000-$60,000 when both of them, like the officer said, only invested $15,000 each into the business. Also, he made up that story about how Dixon had an affair with Wampler's wife, a Polynesian woman. He even took part in burning the bed.

Dixon was most likely the last guy Tamiyasu saw. And the fact that Dixon knew the security lock and had a key to the back door says something.

He pointed fingers and lied the most BY FAR out of anyone ever featured on UM. If he TRULY didn't do it, why would he have been pointing so many fingers and fabricating so much?

I have a theory:

Eric's murder in my opinion seemed like a professional hit. Especially considering that the killer(s) waited for Eric to be alone. They even tapped on his door to get him to come out. They probably didn;t attack because they saw he was with someone.

If you were going to hire a hitman in the area that Eric lived, your best bet would be to hire sheriff's deputies or even the sherriff himself.

I think Don Dixon for whatever reason hired either the Sheriff or some of his deputies to kill Eric.

The sheriff if he was in on it burned the evidence as part of the arrangement or burned it to protect his deputies who he knew took part in it.

My reasoning for this is that i just don't think Don Dixon has the nerve to pull off a murder like that alone without some type of assistance

Also the only two people that were privy to this burning of the bed were the two main suspects in this case.

What do you guys think?

I have a theory:

Eric's murder in my opinion seemed like a professional hit. Especially considering that the killer(s) waited for Eric to be alone. They even tapped on his door to get him to come out. They probably didn;t attack because they saw he was with someone.

If you were going to hire a hitman in the area that Eric lived, your best bet would be to hire sheriff's deputies or even the sherriff himself.

I think Don Dixon for whatever reason hired either the Sheriff or some of his deputies to kill Eric.

The sheriff if he was in on it burned the evidence as part of the arrangement or burned it to protect his deputies who he knew took part in it.

My reasoning for this is that i just don't think Don Dixon has the nerve to pull off a murder like that alone without some type of assistance

Also the only two people that were privy to this burning of the bed were the two main suspects in this case.

What do you guys think?

I don't necessarily agree with your theory, but I think that it was certainly a hit.

I think Dixon knew Tamiyasu wouldn't of been very fond to see him screwing around outside his house and then shooting him three times in the head.

The screwing around outside the house was the first part of the murder, whether by the hitman, or Dixon. It was to see how many people was inside there and if Tamiyasu was home.

This case is so weird...at the end if proboly they do find out who it was it would proboly be the least expected person.....I think the sheriff and don where the most suspicious ones but i can't belive that the hood river police hasnt done nothing to the sheriff or to don, as far as i know joe wampler was reelected as a sheriff again or something like that barely so that means he wasn't fired....Hood river is a creepy place lots of things have happen there like in hood river and Mt. Hood people have gone missing with no one ever finding them look at this link the part where it says Murder Mysteries Remain:

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/ArcStoryPage.asp?Database=Story&StoryID=3244


everything is all so twisted is hella creepy, that would be so scary living in a small town like that.

(sorry got quite off topic:))I have lived in Hood River my entire life. This town isnt creepy it's actually quite boring. Crimes happen here but they happen everywhere. I have personally been affected by tragedies that have happeed in town. Eric was a family friend. My best friend's step dad went missing like a year later and his body was found on Mt. Hood. They ruled it as accidental death but my friend and I suspect foul play was involved because he was into drugs. Then shortly after we graduated my friends mom went missing. Its been 4 years and all they have found is her car. The problem is the police in this town. I was annoyed that Wampler was re-elected sheriff again. He won by like 400 votes. It makes me wonder what everyone is on. This man put in so much effort into finding 3 missing out of state hikers like 2 years ago. He spent weeks trying to find them. Granted I felt for the families. Brian Hall's parents were extremely nice and his mom like broke my heart telling stories. Wampler did so much on that case but has done nothing on finding Eric's killer or what happened to Kim. Eric's house was actually on the way to Kingsley which is a lake. So he wasn't right in town. The only thing that scares me in this town is the drivers haha. I can honestly say I am amazed no children have been abducted or murdered here. Everytime I go somewhere there are kids running around in the streets with no adult in sight. The world isnt like it was 15 years ago, but people are stupid

Burning a bed is not like throwing a tarp on a body or cleaning up blood on the pavement with a hose.

As many of you who have had to move their mattresses out of your homes. It's a pretty big deal to do so. Much less then to burn it?

You have to put forth a lot of effort and have the help of someone else to do it.

There is no rational reason to take a bloody bed bring it outside and burn it other than to compromise the crime scene.

I also find it odd that Wampler would choose the person who was first at the seen to help him do this rather than have a deputy help him.

Think about it :why would you have a civilian that could compromise or implicate you in the murder?

I'm sure that his deputies would not say a thing if they were ordered to do so? Wampler wouldn;t even have to explain his reasons for doing so.

The only reason to not wait for a deputy to do so would be that the Sheriff wanted to burn the bed before forensics or a coroner arrived. (I assume the bed was burned before this? Am i wrong?:confused: )


Sheriff Wampler to me is 100% guilty of some part in Eric's murder.

Plus, why burn the bed??

He could have easily put it aside or left it somewhere out of sight of the Tamiyasu's?!! I don;t think he needed to risk setting a fire and destroying evidence just to keep the damn thing out of their sight?!!!

As for Don Dixon.

I think there is more to their relationship than just him selling fertilizer.

I wonder if there was some busines being done "off" the books that Don Dixon had an interest in.

Perhaps something illegal.

Sorry, but I had to bump this up since I just watched the case for the first time.

Here are couple of things that stand out in my mind...

1-Don Dixon has to be the stand out suspect in my mind. Some of the things he has said come off suspicious. As others have pointed out, he keeps mentioning how innocent he is. "Only my wife, and I didn't kill him," that almost sounds like he's blurting out potential information. He keeps bringing up how Smith, and Wampler might have connections to the murder.


2-Wampler is probably the 2nd most likely culprit. One would think that burning potential evidence would violate some FBI code. Either way, he comes off as suspicious. Still, there doesn't seem to be much connection other than that.

3-No details have shown that Smith had anything to do with the case. Really, the only person trying to imply Smith did anything was Dixon. Other than that, I doubt he did anything.

4-I'm curious to know the two suspects whereabouts during the night Eric and his friend heard noises outside. I don't recall UM mentioning anything about that.

I don't remember much about this segment, I'm just going by what's been said in this discussion.

What if Eric was having an affair with the Sheriff's wife, giving the sheriff the motive to want him dead?

Did Dixon and the sheriff have any interaction prior to this murder? Was Dixon involved in some criminal activity that would be forgiven or overlooked by the sheriff in exchange for helping sheriff Wampler carry out this 'hit' and subsequent destruction of the evidence?

I don't remember much about this segment, I'm just going by what's been said in this discussion.

What if Eric was having an affair with the Sheriff's wife, giving the sheriff the motive to want him dead?

Did Dixon and the sheriff have any interaction prior to this murder? Was Dixon involved in some criminal activity that would be forgiven or overlooked by the sheriff in exchange for helping sheriff Wampler carry out this 'hit' and subsequent destruction of the evidence?I'm sure the sheriff could have killed Eric if his wife, and him were having an affair. But so far, there doesn't seem to be any solid proof. The only person implying that Wampler's wife had an affair is Dixon. It seems like all hearsay. Honestly, Dixon comes off as a big liar.

One interesting aspect in the case is that investigators say that whoever killed Eric must have known the ins and outs of Eric's house very well. That sound like something Dixon probably knew, and not Wampler. Though, I admit the bed burning is very suspicious of Wampler.

Did Dixon and the sheriff have any interaction prior to this murder?


Probably, it's a small town, whether it's a significant enough connection is the question.

I have always championed the theory that Don Dixon paid sheriffs deputies to kill Eric and that the Sheriff either was part of the arrangement or wanted to protect his deputies.

I find it interesting that the two top suspects in this case were the only parties privy to burning of the bed. And both of them had no problem or objections in doing so.

I could easily see a situation where the Sheriff shook down Don Dixon at the murder scene and told him that he knew he had Eric killed and told him to pay him or he would be convicted. Don Dixon agreeing to this arrangement helped out by burning the bed with the trace evidence.

I just don;t see Don Dixon as having the guts or the guile to pull off a crime like this. He's the type of person that would have paid someone else to do it.

The fact that they killer waited for Eric's girlfriend to leave the house before killing him tells me it was a professional hit.


I don;t buy the Sheriff's wife theory, because there is no trail of suspicion to that. There was no suspicious car stops on Eric. No angry telephone calls or anything like that. There's no sign of harassment prior to the murder.

I watched thi segment again.

I noticed that during Sheriff Wamplers interview, he slips and says "I had nothing to do with the "deaths.." Then he corrects himself and says the "death of Eric Tamiyasu, ..no" He seems to smile somewhat nervously and shake his head.

It probably is nothing, but I found that interesting that he thought of "deaths" in the plural rather than in the singular.

Makes me wonder if this was a slip?

I watched thi segment again.

I noticed that during Sheriff Wamplers interview, he slips and says "I had nothing to do with the "deaths.." Then he corrects himself and says the "death of Eric Tamiyasu, ..no" He seems to smile somewhat nervously and shake his head.

It probably is nothing, but I found that interesting that he thought of "deaths" in the plural rather than in the singular.

Makes me wonder if this was a slip?I noticed that as well. Maybe it's some sort of cover up?

Tamiyasu's friend Eric Smith was the only one who seemed normal out of the three suspects. IMO, the strangest comment was by Dixon about how "everyone one is suspect, but my wife, and I."

One interesting thing I noticed is how Don Dixon tries to come off as being Tamiyasu's best friend. I'd like to hear what Tamiyasu's other friends, and sister have to say about how close Dixon was to Tamiyasu. Smith already said that Dixon was some guy who sold gas to Tamiyasu, hardly a 'friend.'

I finally had the chance to watch this segment recently.

Don Dixon is guilty as hell. I don't know if the sheriff is involved, too, or if he's just that stupid, to burn the best evidence in the whole crime scene.

But Don did it, with or without help.

But Don did it, with or without help

I tend to lean toward it being a professional hit, with Don Dixon being the beneficiary.

This is based on the concept that the killers waited until Eric;s girlfriend left before attacking.

Three shots to the head is also standard hitman practice as well.

There's more clues that convinces me that Don Dixon killed Tamiyasu. Let us assume Eric Tamiyasu would probably be uneasy since there was a prowler around his house. What would be the logical thing to do if you think someone could break in? You would lock all the doors in the house. However, UM mentioned that Tamiyasu gave Dixon a key to the backdoor. In other words, Dixon could have entered the house with ease, and killed Tamiyasu.

I finally had the chance to watch this segment recently.

Don Dixon is guilty as hell. I don't know if the sheriff is involved, too, or if he's just that stupid, to burn the best evidence in the whole crime scene.

But Don did it, with or without help.

I completely and totally agree. That man is the guiltiest individual in the history of UM.

I've said it multiple times and I'll say it again: There's no reason for you to "hope" an odor is coming from the garbage, unless you A) are able to recognize, distinctly, the smell of a decaying body from direct experience, or B) you killed your friend and made up some BS story. I never liked the way he worded that and it's suspicious as hell.

And how could a man who allegedly "said a prayer" over his dead friend's body suddenly lose the overwhelming calm and control it would take to do so, and become screaming and hysterical on the phone with the deceased's sister?

"It wasn't a suicide"?!? Give it up, Dixon. :rolleyes: :mad:

Yeah, can you even imagine that whole "discovering of the body" scenario?

Here's poor Don, who's just discovered his best pal in the whole world, dead in bed, rotting for days, stinking, gooey, and probably more disgusting of a sight than any person outside a coronor's office has ever witnessed...

Yet calm, collected Don realized that this is a solemn and reverent time. And in that room of stench, blood, and dripping body fluids, he takes time to say a prayer over the horrifically decomposing body of his friend.

And only after that holy ritual does he call the family.

BS! Is that what YOU or I would do upon discovering the body of a dear friend in such nightmarish circumstances?

Heck no! First, we'd probably vomit. Then we'd run out of the house and call the cops at another location to get away from the stench of death and swarming flies that are remininding us that there's the dead rotting body of our friend upstairs.

Yes, Don Dixon is another one that I'd classify as guilty as sin. None of the stuff he supposedly did or the stuff he said in the UM interview made any sense. If the police had any skills at all, they would have turned the screws on that guy and he'd sing like a canary.

Yes, Don Dixon is another one that I'd classify as guilty as sin. None of the stuff he supposedly did or the stuff he said in the UM interview made any sense. If the police had any skills at all, they would have turned the screws on that guy and he'd sing like a canary.

Therein lies the problem. The police investigating this case is Sheriff Wamplers dept. If there was any evidence it was on that bed that he conveniently destroyed.

Yes, Don Dixon is another one that I'd classify as guilty as sin. None of the stuff he supposedly did or the stuff he said in the UM interview made any sense. If the police had any skills at all, they would have turned the screws on that guy and he'd sing like a canary.

Therein lies the problem. The police investigating this case is Sheriff Wamplers dept. If there was any evidence it was on that bed that he conveniently destroyed.

Yes, Don Dixon is another one that I'd classify as guilty as sin. None of the stuff he supposedly did or the stuff he said in the UM interview made any sense. If the police had any skills at all, they would have turned the screws on that guy and he'd sing like a canary.

Therein lies the problem. The police investigating this case is Sheriff Wamplers dept. If there was any evidence it was on that bed that he conveniently destroyed.

Yep, even if they had the smoking gun linking Dixon with the murder, they'd be torn to shreds by any attorney representing Dixon because of the tainting of the evidence. So it looks like the only way this one will be solved is if Wampler and his buddies in the department all retired and a noob (with no connection to Wampler or his buddies) came in and re-investigated.

Each time I watch this segment, Don Dixon seems more and more like a weird, obsessed wannabe friend who committed the murder....he and Larry Gibson might compete for a UM "worst acting" award

One interesting thing I noticed is how Don Dixon tries to come off as being Tamiyasu's best friend. I'd like to hear what Tamiyasu's other friends, and sister have to say about how close Dixon was to Tamiyasu. Smith already said that Dixon was some guy who sold gas to Tamiyasu, hardly a 'friend.'
My cousin was one of his best friends. They grew up together and everytime he came up from Eugene he was with Eric. He had no clue who Dixon was until Eric was dead. Eric was always at our family dinners and even dated my cousin for a few years off and on.
I think our cops in this town are mentally ********. Seriously who burns the evidence. Let alone not check the security alarm records or check the alarm for prints considering Dixon said besides Eric he was the only other one to know the alarm code. So many things he said at Eric's funeral alone makes you suspicious. The fact that he was the "last" person to see Eric alive and the one to find his body has killer written all over it.. because honestly if I hadn't heard from my best friend in 5 ****ing days you better believe I would know something is wrong.
To think if they didn't burn the evidence I wouldn't be sitting here thinking about what happened to Eric. He was a really great guy and hilarious he did not deserve what happened to him. Nor did his family. Sadly I don't think justice will ever be served. There is another guy they have had as a suspect for the past few years but they can't prove anything.. I still think it was Dixon though and always will.. I think Wampler is just a moron. How he got elected for another 4 years I do not know. Sadly it was by like a hundred votes. I just know I am glad he is retiring after this term.

***Edit... half awake when I wrote the end of this... so a part I just fixed made no sense haha***

Yeah, can you even imagine that whole "discovering of the body" scenario?

Here's poor Don, who's just discovered his best pal in the whole world, dead in bed, rotting for days, stinking, gooey, and probably more disgusting of a sight than any person outside a coronor's office has ever witnessed...

Yet calm, collected Don realized that this is a solemn and reverent time. And in that room of stench, blood, and dripping body fluids, he takes time to say a prayer over the horrifically decomposing body of his friend.

And only after that holy ritual does he call the family.

BS! Is that what YOU or I would do upon discovering the body of a dear friend in such nightmarish circumstances?

Heck no! First, we'd probably vomit. Then we'd run out of the house and call the cops at another location to get away from the stench of death and swarming flies that are remininding us that there's the dead rotting body of our friend upstairs.

This.

Also, I found it odd that he called the family so quickly, or even at all. Why not have the police call them? or at least, wait until he had composed himself and could break the news a little more calmly. I'd have to be very close to a family to feel the need to make that phone call myself. It seems like he really tried to insert himself into the case as much as possible.

The whole "I said a prayer" thing is such an obvious lie. If it happened anything like they did it in the re-enactment, then how in the world could he have seen the body (imo, he had to have smelled it way before he ever "discovered" it, so he knew what he was gonna find upstairs), then been composed enough to have said a prayer, and finally, run out of the room and call the family while being completely not composed and blabbing on about exit wounds?

If we're to believe his version, he opened the door to the house and didn't smell the obvious. He then, unexpectedly, found his friend really dead in the upstairs bedroom, but since he knew that there was nothing he could do for eric, he stayed composed long enough to say a prayer. Then, he left the room, and nearly in hysterics, he calls eric's family to tell them what's happened.

How did he go from calm at the sight of such horror to nearly losing it a short while later while on the phone delivering the news?

Shouldn't that be reversed? Shouldn't he have been calm while calling the family, but then freaked out when he saw eric in the condition he was in? If the guy isn't guilty, he's the creepiest nut in the bunch.

The whole "I said a prayer" thing is such an obvious lie. If it happened anything like they did it in the re-enactment, then how in the world could he have seen the body (imo, he had to have smelled it way before he ever "discovered" it, so he knew what he was gonna find upstairs), then been composed enough to have said a prayer, and finally, run out of the room and call the family while being completely not composed and blabbing on about exit wounds?

If we're to believe his version, he opened the door to the house and didn't smell the obvious. He then, unexpectedly, found his friend really dead in the upstairs bedroom, but since he knew that there was nothing he could do for eric, he stayed composed long enough to say a prayer. Then, he left the room, and nearly in hysterics, he calls eric's family to tell them what's happened.

How did he go from calm at the sight of such horror to nearly losing it a short while later while on the phone delivering the news?

Shouldn't that be reversed? Shouldn't he have been calm while calling the family, but then freaked out when he saw eric in the condition he was in? If the guy isn't guilty, he's the creepiest nut in the bunch.

Maybe by "said a prayer" he meant that he screamed "HOLY SH*T!" and ran outside? :rolleyes:

I completely agree with you. Dude always struck me as a weirdo and guilty as hell.

Maybe by "said a prayer" he meant that he screamed "HOLY SH*T!" and ran outside? :rolleyes:

I completely agree with you. Dude always struck me as a weirdo and guilty as hell.

Don: "dear god, holy sh*t, amen"

LOL okay, you got me with that one!:lol:

I don't understand this statement.



To think if they didn't burn the evidence I wouldn't be sitting here thinking about Eric. I would be talking to him.

I don't understand this statement.
Hahaha yeah I was half awake when I wrote that last night.. lol.. What I meant was if they didn't burn the evidence then I wouldn't be thinking about how much it sucks that his murder has never been solved. I would just remember how he impacted my life not wondering who killed him.

I have a question about this case. I know it was assumed that Eric's death was natural causes then later probable murder...but has anyone ever heard of the police checking for blood spatter on the walls and carpets and ceiling? Or was it all washed away by Don Dixon after the bed was removed. Because they can gain a lot of insight about the killer with that information...you can often time get height and almost always get positioning and distance just based on spatter. Has anyone heard anything about this forensic tool at all. It could have been valuable...then again...the police didn't seem to competent.

I have a question about this case. I know it was assumed that Eric's death was natural causes then later probable murder...but has anyone ever heard of the police checking for blood spatter on the walls and carpets and ceiling? Or was it all washed away by Don Dixon after the bed was removed. Because they can gain a lot of insight about the killer with that information...you can often time get height and almost always get positioning and distance just based on spatter. Has anyone heard anything about this forensic tool at all. It could have been valuable...then again...the police didn't seem to competent.

I'm under the assumption that blood splatter evidence is non-existent due to the bed being burned.

I've always thought that a pillow or blanket was used to cover Eric's head while the shots were fired. That would mean that there would be very little blood splatter (where that blanket or pillow has wound up is another question)

Height of the killer may be moot, because there is a lot of evidence to point toward this being a professional hit. All the info you would have would just tell you the height of the hitmen., not the person who hired him.

Especially in Sheriff Wampler's case. He could easily have had a deputy or criminal do the shooting,

Horrible liars always talk too much when they're lying.

Don Dixon telling the sister that "THERE ARE NO EXIT WOUNDS!!!" right after "discovering" the body is an example of such. No one, NO ONE, not even a moron piece of crap loser social outcast murdering scum would say something like that if they had just "discovered" the body of their "best friend" ... and that's not even taking into account the above poster's observations about the physical state of a 5 day old corpse.

Eric's sister was right that it didn't make sense and justified in that statement setting off alarms.

I just had a random theory pop into my head, and thought I'd go ahead and toss it out here. I've kinda struggled to come up with a motive for Don Dixon to kill Eric, beyond the "creepy wanna be friend goes nuts" angle. Which, of course is certainly possible.

What if Don Dixon had expressed sexual/romantic feelings for Eric and been rejected? Then, either hurt by the rejection or afraid that Eric would "out" him, he goes over to his house and kills him.

(I certainly don't mean the above as some slur against any sexual orientation, by the way. But Lord knows that rejected affections have been motive for plenty of crimes.)

Just something my allergy-medicated mind came up with tonight.

That subject of homosexuality has been brought up before and is very plausible. I tend to think that a "crush" turned into an obsession and when Eric didn't even respond well to a friendship with Don...Don just started to lose it. He may or may not have been stalking Eric (eg. the doorbell ringing and misc. sounds.) A stalker may often times push themselves into the lives of the people they are stalking...and after Eric's death we see this in the form of Don calling Eric his best friend/close friend. The problem with this case is that the evidence is gone...to much was tampered with and there is just everyone's word against the other. It is a true who done it...even though there is one person who obviously sticks out from the rest. In my opinion... a homosexual crush could VERY well have been the motive. But we may never know the truth.

...ans ms___bates...no worried on offending anyone. I'm gay and didn't find anything you said to be offending!

g Eric (eg. the doorbell ringing and misc. sounds.) A stalker may often times push themselves into the lives of the people they are stalking...and after Eric's death we see this in the form of Don calling Eric his best friend/close friend. The problem with this case is that the evidence is gone...to much was tampered with and there is just everyone's word against the other. It is a true who done it...even though there is one person who obviously sticks out from the rest. In my opinion... a homosexual crush could VERY well have been the motive. But we may never know the truth.

Not that this means anything but I do believe that Don Dixon was married at the time. Anyone verify if that was true?

You don't necessarily have to be gay to have an obsession with another man. We've all heard of the "man crush" and "bromances"(sorry I had to say that one :)) We all know the phenomenon of the "geek" that hangs around the "jock" to try to be as cool as him. Think about those guys that hang around in entourages for male stars.

As suspicious as Don Dixon was, I don;t see Don as being the type to pull of that type of crime. I still tend to think that Eric's murder was a professional hit, so maybe Don Dixon hired someone. Maybe he hired sheriff's deputies.

One fault I have with this episode is that UM makes it seem as if there could only be three suspects in this case. If you think about it quite possible there could be other suspects beyond the three profiled.

I also think it's possible that Don Dixon had nothing to do with this case at all. It's possible that Don Dixon has used this murder as an opportunity to show how much of a friend he was to Eric. In a way he gets the friendship now that he never had when Eric was alive.

It is not uncommon to find around murder seens and over-eager witness that wants to help you too much in an investigation. These type of people aren't necessarily perps as much as they are attention-whores.

Mastermind, man are you ever right about the attention whores.

I was reading the "call in" tips to the police department regarding the Darlie Routier case, and it looks like anybody and everybody tried to interject themselves into the investigation.

There were tips that were everything from "I saw a suspicious guy at 2 in the morning a few days ago at a stop light 5 miles from the Routier house" to "a strange homeless guy was looking for work at my office and I think he's a suspect" to "I had a psychic dream" to "check the house for Prozac because that would explain why she killed without motive".

Back to Don and Eric.... Just because Don may have been married doesn't mean he wasn't gay or bi. That happens all the time. Plus, weren't guys in Don's age range more likely to marry to cover up their homosexuality, since they were raised in an era when it was not only not accepted, but the men were shamed and harassed into the closet by family, friends, and society?

It could have just been that he was a possessive "friend", nothing sexual, and he resented Eric spending time with a woman (the night of the murder), or resented Eric spending time with any other friends besides him.

It's a confusing case for sure, regarding the suspects and motives.

omg don dixon is so guilty so much of the evidence points to him. Erics other friends not even knowing who don was what don said to erics sister on the phone about the bullet wounds and agreeing with the sherrif to burn the bed which if you ask me is extremely strange in itself! he even looks like a murderer and he refused to take a polygraph test i mean how much more eveidence do you need? i also agree with the other post about the polynesian woman that eric was seeing it was rumoured that it indeed was the sherrifs wife and the sherrif may have wanted to revenge on eric for having an affair with his wife so he may have something to do with the murder also. One of his statements struck me as being quite an odd thing to say also when he was being interviewed he stated, 'all i can say is that they are looking in the wrong direction' and that to me indicated that he knows what happened to eric and was trying to shift the guilt from himself to others. He said to burn the bed!! he burnt evidence how stupid do you have to be? anyways i could just go on and on about this case as it is very frustrating and the killer should not have gotten away with it. The killer needs to be found!

omg don dixon is so guilty so much of the evidence points to him. Erics other friends not even knowing who don was what don said to erics sister on the phone about the bullet wounds and agreeing with the sherrif to burn the bed which if you ask me is extremely strange in itself! he even looks like a murderer and he refused to take a polygraph test i mean how much more eveidence do you need?

None of what you stated is evidence. It's circumstantial.

That's right, all circlestantive. :D

That's right, all circlestantive. :D

Oh, that infamous utterance is probably my favorite of all that has ever been said on UM.

None of what you stated is evidence. It's circumstantial.


Yes i agree that most of it is circumstantial but the fact that don refused to take a polygraph test seems strange to me....im just saying...what has he got to hide and the fact that he said, 'the only two people i know who didn't do it was my wife and myself...everybody else in my mind is a suspect' it seems like he is trying to shift the blame from himself. Most murders cases that have been unsolved have evidence that is circumstantial and isn't enough to arrest anyone and i guess thats why don dixon hasn't been arrested...yet....

I just had to bump up this thread. :D Hey Mastermind, why do you think Don Dixon would have wanted Eric Tamiyasu dead?

I think it's a Single White Female sort of thing, with Don Dixon being the infatuated, obsessive "friend". Maybe he was secretly attracted to Eric and couldn't handle the fact that Eric was dating girls.

I think it's a Single White Female sort of thing, with Don Dixon being the infatuated, obsessive "friend". Maybe he was secretly attracted to Eric and couldn't handle the fact that Eric was dating girls.

Or it could be that Don was a potential fraud artist that was about to use Eric as a victim.

I don;t think this a crime of passion. The fact that the crime has the earmarks of a professional job (three bullets to the head, waiting till the girlfriend left) makes me think there is some financial gain to Eric's death.

If it was a crime of passion and Eric was jealous why wait for his girlfriend to leave?

Apostapler, one thought I had is that perhaps it was feared that Eric was going to expose Don in some way. Maybe Eric was going to expose Don as a homosexual? Perhap Eric knew of something potentially illegal that Don was getting into.

One interesting aspect about the case is the way Don Dixon portrays himself as being close to Eric. There could be something to that. Eric Smith said that Don lived in a fantasy world, i.e. Don thought Eric fancied him. As some people have already mentioned, Don might have wanted to have a relationship with Eric, but Eric turned him down. So, he killed him as a result.

Dixon and Sherriff Wampler were in on it IMO. Dixon could have had a variety of reasons to kill Eric as mentioned above. Wampler probably knew about his wife's affairs with Eric and maybe sent Dixon out to do a hit on him. Maybe Dixon had some dirt that Wampler had on him but would let him off the hook if he did this one thing. Therefore a "burned bed" won't have any of Wampler's wife hair or DNA on it. Wampler is a sheriff and he certainly has insight on how to pass a polygraph while Dixon is told to just outright refuse it.

Think about it, in the movie "Street Kings" Keanu Reeves says "we're the police, we can do anything we want." In other words, they can relay a story of what happened. If there is a murder, they can treat it as a suicide. If a cop is involved they can cover it up. This case reeks of that.

One interesting aspect about the case is the way Don Dixon portrays himself as being close to Eric. There could be something to that. Eric Smith said that Don lived in a fantasy world, i.e. Don thought Eric fancied him. As some people have already mentioned, Don might have wanted to have a relationship with Eric, but Eric turned him down. So, he killed him as a result.

Yeah, similar theory, a la "American Beauty" (I know, I like using movie references.) Man trying to come out of closet comes out to friend, gets turned down, murders guy that turned him down because he's afraid.

For bonus drama, maybe Wampler was part of this bizarre love triangle. :lol:

Burning a bed is not like throwing a tarp on a body or cleaning up blood on the pavement with a hose.

As many of you who have had to move their mattresses out of your homes. It's a pretty big deal to do so. Much less then to burn it?

You have to put forth a lot of effort and have the help of someone else to do it.

There is no rational reason to take a bloody bed bring it outside and burn it other than to compromise the crime scene.

I also find it odd that Wampler would choose the person who was first at the seen to help him do this rather than have a deputy help him.

Think about it :why would you have a civilian that could compromise or implicate you in the murder?

I'm sure that his deputies would not say a thing if they were ordered to do so? Wampler wouldn;t even have to explain his reasons for doing so.

The only reason to not wait for a deputy to do so would be that the Sheriff wanted to burn the bed before forensics or a coroner arrived. (I assume the bed was burned before this? Am i wrong?:confused: )


Sheriff Wampler to me is 100% guilty of some part in Eric's murder.

Plus, why burn the bed??

He could have easily put it aside or left it somewhere out of sight of the Tamiyasu's?!! I don;t think he needed to risk setting a fire and destroying evidence just to keep the damn thing out of their sight?!!!

As for Don Dixon.

I think there is more to their relationship than just him selling fertilizer.

I wonder if there was some busines being done "off" the books that Don Dixon had an interest in.

Perhaps something illegal.

I completely agree with you and thought that exact thing when I first saw the episode. Why, if you want to burn a bed, would you not ask a fellow officer or deputy to it?? Why would you ask some random guy who claims to be a friend of the victim. I think both Dixon and Wampler were either in on it or know who did it and aren't doing a thing about it. I don't believe this case will ever be solved until a new sheriff is elected or until some fresh eyes get a look at this case, preferably at the federal level.

I have to bump this thread. Does anyone think that if a new sheriff is elected, maybe this case will end up being solved or is it simply a case of small town corruption?

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I have to bump this thread. Does anyone think that if a new sheriff is elected, maybe this case will end up being solved or is it simply a case of small town corruption?

No, for these reasons.

1. If Sheriff Wampler was implicated in the murder, that would be extremely bad press for the department. Police tend to want to avoid that type of thing.

2. There are still probably deputies loyal to Sherff Wampler. Such an investigation could cause rifts in the department. Not a good idea for a new Sheriff trying to win over his deputies.

3. I hate to say this but there is probably some "poison pill" election agreement that was placed that if the new deputy was elected, the Eric Tamiyasu case would not be investigated. This poison pill could be some corruption on the new Sheriff. If Eric Tamiyasu's case would be opened up, the "dirt" on the new Sherriff would be revealed.

No, for these reasons.

1. If Sheriff Wampler was implicated in the murder, that would be extremely bad press for the department. Police tend to want to avoid that type of thing.

2. There are still probably deputies loyal to Sherff Wampler. Such an investigation could cause rifts in the department. Not a good idea for a new Sheriff trying to win over his deputies.

3. I hate to say this but there is probably some "poison pill" election agreement that was placed that if the new deputy was elected, the Eric Tamiyasu case would not be investigated. This poison pill could be some corruption on the new Sheriff. If Eric Tamiyasu's case would be opened up, the "dirt" on the new Sherriff would be revealed.

I don't think Wampler was involved in the murder. Maybe he didn't like Eric and knew that he had an affair with his wife. I personally think that of the suspects UM profiled, Don Dixon is the most likely to have done it. I think that Dixon killed Eric for reasons unknown to us. Maybe he did have feelings for Eric that weren't reciprocated as an earlier poster stated. I then believe that Wampler, who knew his wife had been in the same bed as Eric, asked Dixon to destroy the bed to conceal any evidence that may lead to his wife having been in the bed and thus turning him into a suspect with "jealous husband" as the motive. Either way, I dont believe this case will ever be solved or even looked at as long as Wampler is in charge.

I then believe that Wampler, who knew his wife had been in the same bed as Eric, asked Dixon to destroy the bed to conceal any evidence that may lead to his wife having been in the bed and thus turning him into a suspect with "jealous husband"

Interesting thought. The problems I have with that theory is...

1. How would Wampler even know that they slept together in that bed? They could have cheated in a hotel or his own bed. Heck, how does he know that they slept together that recently enough to leave trace evidence? Would he even think about that at the time?

2. Why would it be that unusual for their to be women;s hair or DNA on Eric's bed? He apparently had a very active social life. The women's DNA would not necessarily be considered the DNA of the suspect. Not to mention that the only person Eric could have slept with that night was the women that visited him that night. DNA tests would show that the evidence was there later and was the result of sex. The DNA would not be considered the DNA of his killer, it would not be actively searched for.

3. Why destroy the whole bed? Most of the evidence of a women in his bed would be in the sheets. He could simpky have taken the sheets with him

4. The cat is kind of out of the bag to begin with. Apparently there were already rumours of the infidelity. Sheriff Wampler was closing the barn door after the horses came out.

5. Keep in mind that the affair was based on the scantiest of evidence. Allegedly Eric was seeing a Polynisian woman and the Sheriff's wife is Polynisian. That's really not that strong a lead. There are lots of Polynisian women in that part of the country. Also add that it's Don Davis who echoed that sentiment much in the same way he brought up the other Eric's money issues.

6. Again...does NOBODY find it unusual that the two biggest suspects in this case assisted with the destruction of a vital piece of evidence. :confused:

7. Why would Sherriff Wampler be worried about being blamed for the murder. He has an alibi. Burning the bed was what brought attention to himself.

Either way, I dont believe this case will ever be solved or even looked at as long as Wampler is in charge.

Technically the FBI could investigate this case as local corruption.

4. I'm sure Sherrif Wampler even considered the idea that

Interesting thought. The problems I have with that theory is...

1. How would Wampler even know that they slept together in that bed? They could have cheated in a hotel or his own bed. Heck, how does he know that they slept together that recently enough to leave trace evidence? Would he even think about that at the time?

I don't think he knew for a fact but when you have a murdered man that was rumored to have slept with your wife, he may have wanted to get rid of both the bed and the sheets to make sure his wife's DNA wasn't found there.

4. The cat is kind of out of the bag to begin with. Apparently there were already rumours of the infidelity. Sheriff Wampler was closing the barn door after the horses came out.

Thats the point I was alluding to. He got rid of any evidence that may have had his wife's DNA on it. Plus, he may have been covering his own hide. He is married to his wife, which means he is around her and her clothing a lot. What if his wife had worn an outfit that had a piece of Wamplers hair on it, over to Eric's house, then the hair accidentally gets left on Eric's bed when she takes her clothes off. Now you have his DNA there even though he wasn't there. Far fetched? Absolutely, but I think he was trying to get rid of any and all evidence that may have been there of either him or his wife.


6. Again...does NOBODY find it unusual that the two biggest suspects in this case assisted with the destruction of a vital piece of evidence. :confused:

I find it unusual and to be honest, the only thing that makes me think the sheriff may have done it is the fact that whoever killed Eric, tried to burn his body, if I remember correctly, trying to destroy evidence. Well the first thing the sheriff did was order the bed destroyed by fire. If he had been the murderer, maybe he realized that his first try of setting the bed and Eric on fire didn't work, so now he needs to try to destroy the bed.

7. Why would Sherriff Wampler be worried about being blamed for the murder. He has an alibi. Burning the bed was what brought attention to himself.

I think he was more so worried about his wife. If she did have an affair with Eric, there could have been DNA on his bed. I think he was trying to cover it up for her sake. I don't think she did it, but he didn't even want the possibility of her as a suspect.

I find it unusual and to be honest, the only thing that makes me think the sheriff may have done it is the fact that whoever killed Eric, tried to burn his body, if I remember correctly, trying to destroy evidence. Well the first thing the sheriff did was order the bed destroyed by fire. If he had been the murderer, maybe he realized that his first try of setting the bed and Eric on fire didn't work, so now he needs to try to destroy the bed.


It should be pointed out that

1. if Sheriff Wampler wanted to kill Eric Tamiyasu, he would most likely not have done it himself. He would have gotten an ex-con, criminal or one of his deputies or even a willing party like Don Davis.

2. If any of his deputies were involved without his consent..the Sherrif still has a reason to hide the murder to protect his own deputies.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mastermind
Interesting thought. The problems I have with that theory is...

1. How would Wampler even know that they slept together in that bed? They could have cheated in a hotel or his own bed. Heck, how does he know that they slept together that recently enough to leave trace evidence? Would he even think about that at the time?


I don't think he knew for a fact but when you have a murdered man that was rumored to have slept with your wife, he may have wanted to get rid of both the bed and the sheets to make sure his wife's DNA wasn't found there.

But Eric most likely washed his sheets out of normal tidyness. Wouldn't he also want to take Eric's soiled sheets in his dirty laudry as well?


REMEMBER....Nobody knew how Eric died or that it was even foul play until the autopsy showed the bullets.
1. Sheriff Wampler has no real reason to suspect fould play here. Eric may hav died of natural causes. Why would sheriff Wampler even suspect that fould play would have occured and that there would be a need for hiding his wife's prescence.
2. The bed would have indicated that a gun was used long before the autopsy. It also would indicated several potential clues about how the gun was fired.
3. It is not a given that Eric died while sleeping. He may been placed in the bed, another big fact that the burned bed hid.

To me this is the crux of the case...both Don Davis and Sheriff Wampler appear to know that Eric was murdered by a gun before the autopsy!!!!

To me this is the crux of the case...both Don Davis and Sheriff Wampler appear to know that Eric was murdered by a gun before the autopsy!!!!

I agree with most of your theory but I'm not sold on the fact that Sheriff Wampler knew Eric had been murdered. I personally think Dixon was involved. I just think that Wampler wanted the bed destroyed so that any evidence/DNA of his or his wife's that may have been there (even though as remote a chance as it is) would be destroyed with the fire so that neither him or his wife could ever be placed inside Eric's home.

Don Dixon's story just doesn't make sense. "I said a prayer and went back downstairs." It seems like by him saying that, he wants us to believe he is religious and thus incapable of murder. Plus Eric's friend even said that Dixon wasn't a friend of Eric, but merely an acquaintance who wanted to be a friend. That may lead to the possibility of Dixon's infatuation with Eric and possible murder due to it not being reciprocated. The main thing that makes me believe it is Dixon is the fact that during his interview with UM, he kept naming possible suspects and giving motives for those suspects all the while acting as though he was Eric's best friend. Also, if Dixon has nothing to hide, why not take a polygraph?

I agree with most of your theory but I'm not sold on the fact that Sheriff Wampler knew Eric had been murdered. I personally think Dixon was involved.

I don't know if you read some of my previous posts. But my theory on this case has always been that either

1. Two of Sheriff Wampler's deputies were hired by Don Dixon to murder Eric. Sheriff Wampler may have been in on it or burned the bed to protect his deputies.

or

2. When Sheriff Wampler was at the scene, he may have figured out that Don Dixon was responsible. At this point an "on-the spot" shakedown or bribe may have occured that led to both parties burning the bed
.
One big reason why I think Sherrif Wampler is involved is that the murder was too professional.
1. The killer(s) waited until Eric's lady friend to attack Eric.
2. The fact that they knocked on the door to determine who was with Eric.
3. Three bullets to the head is a common sign of professional killers.
4. If there was a struggle, I find it hard to believe that just one man took Eric down and placed him on the bed. Two people would have needed to do this.


As much as I believe Don Dixon is responsible...It is quite possible the only thing he's guilty of is being a pest and an attention whore.

Interesting points so far. I still have a feeling that Don Dixon was somehow involved. It's bizarre that there were no signs of forced entry in the case. Coincidentally, Don Dixon had a key to Tamiyasu's house. He could have easily entered the house and murder Eric Tamiyasu. Although, the details would have to be worked out.

Interesting points so far. I still have a feeling that Don Dixon was somehow involved. It's bizarre that there were no signs of forced entry in the case. Coincidentally, Don Dixon had a key to Tamiyasu's house. He could have easily entered the house and murder Eric Tamiyasu. Although, the details would have to be worked out.

The problem I have with Don Dixon committing the murders solely by himself are:
1. Too much of the murders smell of a professional hit. I don't think Don Dixon is that capable of doing such a murder by himself.
2. I find it too coincidental that Sheriif Wampler was going to assist him in destroying the one piece of evidence that could potentially jail Don. Nobody's that lucky!!:p

The problem I have with Don Dixon committing the murders solely by himself are:
1. Too much of the murders smell of a professional hit. I don't think Don Dixon is that capable of doing such a murder by himself.
2. I find it too coincidental that Sheriif Wampler was going to assist him in destroying the one piece of evidence that could potentially jail Don. Nobody's that lucky!!:pIt's possible either Wampler, or a professional hitman killed Tamiyasu. But it still bothers me that Dixon had access to Tamiyasu's house and there was no forced entry in the house. Directly, or indirectly, it seems as though Dixon was involved. It's possible that Dixon and Wampler worked together in order to kill Eric but something went wrong.

It'd be also interesting to know if anyone else had a key to Eric's house. Don Dixon is the only suspect we know of.

If Don Dixon wasn't involved, then he is a sad sad man who needs attention. He's sitting there trying to give reasons for other people to kill Eric, all the while claiming that he and Eric were best buds. I personally think he is responsible for Eric's death and that Eric was indeed having an affair with Wampler's wife which is why this case takes a backseat, Wampler may simply not care who killed Eric.

If Wampler was involved, either directly or indirectly, then Don Dixon is one of the biggest idiots walking God's green Earth. If Eric was such a good friend, why int he world would he listen to the sheriff and burn the bed without at least asking question or even telling Eric's family that the sheriff is asking you to do that? My biggest question though is if Wampler was somehow involved, why didn't he (or the person he hired to kill Eric) burn the bed or set the house on fire? Why wait until after the body is discovered and after the public knows its a murder? It just doesn't make sense to me.

If Eric was such a good friend, why int he world would he listen to the sheriff and burn the bed without at least asking question or even telling Eric's family that the sheriff is asking you to do that

1. Keep in mind that the Sheriff has a gun.:( That's something to consider.
2. He is a sheriff and probably knows best. Wouldn't you follow the instrunctions of a police officer.
3. I think Don Davis did voice some objection to this in his interview. I also think Don Davis even voiced the Sheriff being a suspect.


My biggest question though is if Wampler was somehow involved, why didn't he (or the person he hired to kill Eric) burn the bed or set the house on fire? Why wait until after the body is discovered and after the public knows its a murder? It just doesn't make sense to me.

1. A fire to the house would be even more suspicious than burning the bed. Doing it this way requires only the bed needs to burned..in broaddaylight no less. Remember it was a while before the body was found. The fire would have made the body found much easier. You also can't burn the bed at night without arousing some suspicion.
2. Wampler may only have been aware of what happened after the death. One of his deputies may have confessed to him or Don Dixon himself may have confessed to him on the spot. An on the spot bribe cannot be ruled out here. Don may have begged Wampler to help him on this case, maybe Sheriff Wampler gave a price for his help.
3. Technically since, Sheriff Wampler will oversee the crime scene, he can basically do whatever he wants.
4. There is a risk that if a fire is set that Eric's remains may not be found, making him a missing person. This may be a more unfavorable scenario than the unsolved murder.
5. Sheriff Wampler may have wanted to survey the crime scene first to see what type of evidence needed to be hid. He may not have known how the murder was committed but was going to hide evidence once he was there. In this case, he saw the bed was the most obvious piece of evidence.
6. Sheriff Wampler may be a murder, but he is still a sheriff. A house fire may cause more damage to the area and endanger more people. Also may kill fireman and deputies assisting in the fire. Not to mention that the killers can;t call in the fire, so it will spread to some degree. Probably not worth the risk, when he could just burn the bed when he arrives at the crime scene.

1. Keep in mind that the Sheriff has a gun.:( That's something to consider.
2. He is a sheriff and probably knows best. Wouldn't you follow the instrunctions of a police officer.
3. I think Don Davis did voice some objection to this in his interview. I also think Don Davis even voiced the Sheriff being a suspect.



1. A fire to the house would be even more suspicious than burning the bed. Doing it this way requires only the bed needs to burned..in broaddaylight no less. Remember it was a while before the body was found. The fire would have made the body found much easier. You also can't burn the bed at night without arousing some suspicion.
2. Wampler may only have been aware of what happened after the death. One of his deputies may have confessed to him or Don Dixon himself may have confessed to him on the spot. An on the spot bribe cannot be ruled out here. Don may have begged Wampler to help him on this case, maybe Sheriff Wampler gave a price for his help.
3. Technically since, Sheriff Wampler will oversee the crime scene, he can basically do whatever he wants.
4. There is a risk that if a fire is set that Eric's remains may not be found, making him a missing person. This may be a more unfavorable scenario than the unsolved murder.
5. Sheriff Wampler may have wanted to survey the crime scene first to see what type of evidence needed to be hid. He may not have known how the murder was committed but was going to hide evidence once he was there. In this case, he saw the bed was the most obvious piece of evidence.
6. Sheriff Wampler may be a murder, but he is still a sheriff. A house fire may cause more damage to the area and endanger more people. Also may kill fireman and deputies assisting in the fire. Not to mention that the killers can;t call in the fire, so it will spread to some degree. Probably not worth the risk, when he could just burn the bed when he arrives at the crime scene.

Lets back up for a moment and say that Wampler did murder Eric/have Eric murdered. We've basically agreed that he can do with this case what he wants unless the FBI or another federal agency were to get involved. So, if that's the case and he did participate in Eric's murder, then your points, although they are good, wouldn't matter. If the house burned down, the sheriff wouldn't care because Eric would still be dead, which is what he wanted. Also, they could have lit his body on fire, let it burn for a while, then put it out with a few fire extinguishers. Also, if the fire started to get out of control, they could put it out with fire extinguishers. What I'm getting at here is, if Wampler was involved and wanted evidence destroyed, it seems like he would have gotten rid of Eric's body all together or taken the bed from Eric's home the night he was murdered and destroyed elsewhere.

I still think that someone, most likely Dixon, committed the murder, then to cover up any possible evidence that his wife's DNA or his DNA may be on that bed, the sheriff asked for it to be destroyed.

So, if that's the case and he did participate in Eric's murder, then your points, although they are good, wouldn't matter. If the house burned down,

That would be arson. Which could prompt the involvement of other agencies that Wampler may not have control of.


I still think that someone, most likely Dixon, committed the murder, then to cover up any possible evidence that his wife's DNA or his DNA may be on that bed, the sheriff asked for it to be destroyed.

I agree that Dixon is most likely guilty. I just don't believe he did this all himself. I also don't believe that that the bed was burned for any purpose other than to hide bullet holes, powder burns and


If the house burned down, the sheriff wouldn't care because Eric would still be dead, which is what he wanted.

You missed my point about the fire damaging more than the house.
Why do overkill when you just have to burn the bed?

Eric almost certainly changed his sheets at some point.
Shouldn;t he burn the sheets in his dirt clothe, too?
Shouldn;t he also clean the bathtub while he;s at it.

If Wampler was so worried about his wifes DNA evidence there, Why didn't he have the place cleaned, as well. His wife's hair could be laying on the carpet fibers or in the shower drain?

I have to again, point out that the infidelity involving with Wampler's wife is only a rumour. There has been nothing to substantiate that.
In fact the rumour only gained legs AFTER Eric's death.

You missed my point about the fire damaging more than the house.
Why do overkill when you just have to burn the bed?

Eric almost certainly changed his sheets at some point.
Shouldn;t he burn the sheets in his dirt clothe, too?
Shouldn;t he also clean the bathtub while he;s at it.

If Wampler was so worried about his wifes DNA evidence there, Why didn't he have the place cleaned, as well. His wife's hair could be laying on the carpet fibers or in the shower drain?

I have to again, point out that the infidelity involving with Wampler's wife is only a rumour. There has been nothing to substantiate that.
In fact the rumour only gained legs AFTER Eric's death.

I get your point about the fire, but my point about the bed is this; what if Wampler knew his wife had been havign an affair with Eric. What if he knew she had been there in the days leading up to his murder?

As to your question about the bathroom and carpet fibers, thats not realistic unless he does so after he kills Eric. In my suggestion, I'm still maintaining that Dixon killed Eric, but that Wampler was wanting to get rid of evidence of his wife. Since Wampler comes up to the house unaware that Eric is dead, he panics and has the bed burned because he may have thought that his wife had been sleeping with Eric in the days before his murder and thus, her DNA may still be on the bed.

Your coming at it from an angle that Wampler was involved in the murder, I'm not. That's where I think the miscommunication is, lol. I don't think Wampler was involved at all, other than destroying evidence on purpose. Hell, he may have disliked Eric so much that he wanted the bed burned because he felt like whoever killed Eric did him a favor and didn't want him to be caught.

Your coming at it from an angle that Wampler was involved in the murder, I'm not.

I think the miscomunication here is that your basing your theory on an the unsubstatiated rumor that Eric was sleeping with the Sheriff;s wife. (A rumour potentially started by Don Dixon!!)

If that rumor is not true, the theory of the Sheriff destroying the DNA evidence of his wife does not work. Your back to square one: why did Sheriff Wampler feel a need to burn the bed?

I favor the concept that the only reason for Sheriff Wampler to do such an act is to protect the murderer(s).

I'm actually coming at this from the angle that Don could not have done the murder all by himself. That this was a professional hit.
a. The door tapping technique
b. Waiting for Eric's girlfriend to leave.
c. Three shots to the head (a common sign of professional murders)

If your looking to hire someone in a small rural county for murder, the deputies in a sheriff's department are a good place to do so.

I have to imagine that deputies moonlighting like this, wouldn't get past the Sheriff.

It's not a leap to believe that the deputies responsible told Sheriff Wampler this and Sheriff Wampler burned the bed to hide the bullet and burn evidence.
Evidence that might link the deputies to the murder.

Too much of Sheriff Wampler's burning of the bed reeks of "code of silence" acts.

I wouldn;t be surprised if this was an arrangement were Wampler helps his deputies in doing illegal activities by destroying evidence or stonewalling investigations.

I think the miscomunication here is that your basing your theory on an the unsubstatiated rumor that Eric was sleeping with the Sheriff;s wife.

If that rumor is not true, the theory of the Sheriff destroying the DNA evidence of his wife does not work. Your back to square one: why did Sheriff Wampler feel a need to burn the bed?

I think the miscomunication here is that your basing your theory on an the unsubstatiated rumor that Eric was sleeping with the Sheriff;s wife. (A rumour potentially started by Don Dixon!!)

If that rumor is not true, the theory of the Sheriff destroying the DNA evidence of his wife does not work. Your back to square one: why did Sheriff Wampler feel a need to burn the bed?

I favor the concept that the only reason for Sheriff Wampler to do such an act is to protect the murderer(s).

I'm actually coming at this from the angle that Don could not have done the murder all by himself. That this was a professional hit.
a. The door tapping technique
b. Waiting for Eric's girlfriend to leave.
c. Three shots to the head (a common sign of professional murders)

If your looking to hire someone in a small rural county for murder, the deputies in a sheriff's department are a good place to do so.

I have to imagine that deputies moonlighting like this, wouldn't get past the Sheriff.

It's not a leap to believe that the deputies responsible told Sheriff Wampler this and Sheriff Wampler burned the bed to hide the bullet and burn evidence.
Evidence that might link the deputies to the murder.

Too much of Sheriff Wampler's burning of the bed reeks of "code of silence" acts.

I wouldn;t be surprised if this was an arrangement were Wampler helps his deputies in doing illegal activities by destroying evidence or stonewalling investigations.

I think the miscomunication here is that your basing your theory on an the unsubstatiated rumor that Eric was sleeping with the Sheriff;s wife.

If that rumor is not true, the theory of the Sheriff destroying the DNA evidence of his wife does not work. Your back to square one: why did Sheriff Wampler feel a need to burn the bed?

Regardless of it all, my main point is that I believe Don Dixon is responsible for the murder. I do not believe that Wampler had anything to do with it. Just watching Dixon's interview make me think he was lying. He was trying to hard to make everyone believe, in my opinion. But having said, I'm confused as to why this case has basically been forgotten about. No updates, no leads,nothing. Its a forgone conclusion that very crappy police work was done (burning the bed) but was nothing else of substance ever located? No one ever came forward with information? No one claimed to have overheard anyone talking about it? Those kinda things make me think that your theory of a hitman may actually be a more likely scenario.

He was trying to hard to make everyone believe, in my opinion. But having said, I'm confused as to why this case has basically been forgotten about. No updates, no leads,nothing. Its a forgone conclusion that very crappy police work was done (burning the bed) but was nothing else of substance ever located? No one ever came forward with information? No one claimed to have overheard anyone talking about it? Those kinda things make me think that your theory of a hitman may actually be a more likely scenario.

Let's follow the hitman theory.

Where would Don Dixon most likely go to get a hitman to kill Eric Tamiyasu in that part of the country.

Where would you go to find a hitman that skilled?

Let's follow the hitman theory.

Where would Don Dixon most likely go to get a hitman to kill Eric Tamiyasu in that part of the country.

Where would you go to find a hitman that skilled?

To be honest, I have no clue. I wouldn't go to a local police station though and ask and risk being arrested for solicitation of a hitman. My best guess is a bar or a friend of a friend. But, why would Don Dixon want Eric Tamiyasu killed? Has anyone speculated on that other than possible crush he had on Eric that wasn't reciprocated?

To be honest, I have no clue. I wouldn't go to a local police station though and ask and risk being arrested for solicitation of a hitman.

You'd find a friend or relative that you think would be capable of doing the act or knows of a way to have someone hit. Usually this person is an ex-con, soldier, ex-cop or maybe even an off-duty cop. It starts off like a simple chat, then it becomes a serious conversion.

That person may do the act themselves or...

He will become an intermediary and find someone he knows that knows a person that knows a hitman.

In this process there can be several buffers between You and the person that actually does the hit.

Outside hitmen are expensive, so I have to assume it's a local person Where would the shooters actually come from?
1. Organized crime, robbers drug dealers, ex-cons.
2. Police or ex-police.

Heres; the rub.
In such a small town..any organized element is going to be known by the sheriff's department. The fact that the sheriff's department runs the jails also increases the knowledge of corruption.

Any organized crime element in the county is going to have corrupt police under their thumb(it's just a sad fact of small rural sheriff's departments)., if such an organized element exists in the county, it's going to have deputies in the sheriff's office under it's payroll.

It's not a stretch that whoever was hired and this hit made it's way to Sheriff Wampler;s desk. The Sheriff speaks to the buffer above the hitman or the hitmen themselves. One thing leads to another...and voila!...Sheriff Wampler is activeley destroying evidence and stonewalling a case to protect the shooters.






My best guess is a bar or a friend of a friend. But, why would Don Dixon want Eric Tamiyasu killed? Has anyone speculated on that other than possible crush he had on Eric that wasn't reciprocated?

1. Perhaps, Eric might have exposed Don Dixon as a homosexual. Don was married and such a disclosure could hurt Don's business as well as his marriage.

2. Perhaps, Don Dixon and Eric had a side business that has yet to be uncovered. Perhaps Eric was growing illegal drugs with Don Dixon in Eric's orchards. I assume you can grow marijuana in an apple orchard, no?

3. Perhaps, Don Dixon's interest in Eric was more as a potential target for some elaborate fraud scheme. Perhaps, Eric balked at it and threatened to expose Don. Or maybe Don suceeded and killing Eric was a necessary step.

It's not a stretch that whoever was hired and this hit made it's way to Sheriff Wampler;s desk. The Sheriff speaks to the buffer above the hitman or the hitmen themselves. One thing leads to another...and voila!...Sheriff Wampler is activeley destroying evidence and stonewalling a case to protect the shooters.


But why would Wampler want Eric dead?

yeah when i first saw the case i thought it was strange to have the evidence burned. i think at least one of the 3 they mentioned as possible suspects did the crime or at least knows something about it but arent talking.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mastermind
It's not a stretch that whoever was hired and this hit made it's way to Sheriff Wampler;s desk. The Sheriff speaks to the buffer above the hitman or the hitmen themselves. One thing leads to another...and voila!...Sheriff Wampler is activeley destroying evidence and stonewalling a case to protect the shooters.



But why would Wampler want Eric dead?

I don't think it was so much Wampler wanted Eric dead so much as Eric was going to be killed anyway and that it was in Wamplers's best interest to protect his deputies and/or the criminals involved. Money is also a possibility here. Again, this could be an on the spot bribe that Wampler accepted.

I don't think it was so much Wampler wanted Eric dead so much as Eric was going to be killed anyway and that it was in Wamplers's best interest to protect his deputies and/or the criminals involved. Money is also a possibility here. Again, this could be an on the spot bribe that Wampler accepted.

If that's the case, then this murder will never be solved. Damn shame too because it seems like such a unreasonable murder. If the sheriffs office really is that corrupt, then it would take a miracle to get a new sheriff elected and new deputies on the force. I believe that someone who had posted on this thread claimed to be from the town where this occurred. I wonder if that person has any suspicions of the police force being corrupt?

If that's the case, then this murder will never be solved.

Not necessarily.

It depends how deep and complex this is for hire plot is.

It could really just be as simple as Don Dixon hired an ex-con directly, paid and paid off Wampler to hide the body. Burning the bed may be as much cover-up as Wampler is willing to concede to.

If you find the hitman (or hitmen), link him up to Don Dixon..essentially the case is solved.

Wampler is technically culpable in Eric's murder, but I would think there are other corrupt acts that Wampler could be removed for.

Wampler is technically culpable in Eric's murder, but I would think there are other corrupt acts that Wampler could be removed for.

Does Wampler have a reputation of corruption or is this all speculation on our part?

Does Wampler have a reputation of corruption or is this all speculation on our part?

As much speculation as Don Dixon's "man crush" with Eric Tamiyasu.

But consider this.
1. There is a degree of corruption in ANY police department. Sheriff's departments in rural areas are highly succeptable to corruption due to the fact that the sheriff is an elected law enforcement officer by the people. You don't become a Sheriff without money and lots and lots of friends. Saying, whether Wampler has a reputation for corruption is like saying is their a congressman with a reputation of corruption.;)

Wampler had to have a lot of friends with deep pockets to get elected. I can;t imagine all that money was legit.

I wonder if Don Dixon was a fundraiser or supporter of Sheriff Wampler during his elections? Wonder if Eric Tamayisu was not a supporter of the Sheriff?

2. It;s on thing to be purposely corrupt..but it;s another thing to simply want to protect your career and the reputation of your police department. How many times have we seen cases stonewallled just to protect the departments reputation?

I just finished watching this case on the site which shall not be named and I'm even more convinced that Don Dixon played a major role in Eric's death. I know these points have been repeated but Dixon gives a reason for the other Eric and the Sheriff to want Eric dead as well as saying Eric was depressed and could have killed himself. He basically points the finger at a variety of explanations. He is the one who brings up the fight between Eric Smith and Eric Tamiyasu. Also he brings up the possibility of Wampler's wife and Eric having an affair. Also, why in the world would you call the man's sister 5 minutes after finding the body and frantically tell her that her brother is dead, it doesnt look like foul play and there do not appear to be any exit wounds? What are you, a detective? How long did he look at the body to come up that? It took the coroner to find out that Eric had been shot three times because it wasnt visible to the police. Why didnt Dixon tell the police he noticed gun shot wounds?

Also, Dixon claims the reason he drove over to Eric's house on the day he found the body was because Eric's closest friends were calling him asking him if he had heard from Eric. Were Dixon's phone records checked to match phone numbers to Eric's friends? Were Eric's friends asked if they called Don Dixon? If they did call him to ask about Eric's whereabouts, this directly refutes Eric Smith's claim of "ask any one of Eric's friends and they dont even know who Don Dixon is."

Why didnt Dixon tell the police he noticed gun shot wounds?

Perhaps he did.;)

Don Dixon is my #1 suspect. Although all three were suspicious, I just didn't buy his story and there was something shady about him. And yes, I did see Joe Wamper on CNN or some channel like that discussing a case. I don't feel he had anything to do with it, besides being an idiot and burning evidence! Okay, well....the more I think about it that is kind of odd...........
I just stumbled upon this web site and I believe I have a lot to help with the Eric Tamiyasu case. Remember what you say was a television show not fact.
Back ground: All references to Eric refer to Eric Tamiyasu. Eric Tamiyasu's custom built home is well off the beaten track. It lies in an area of orchards miles away from any population center. Even once you are on the orchard his Lindel style home is difficult to find. It has 2 approach paths one through the pear/cherry/apple orchardpast a hired mans home the other more secluded is through a heavily wooded area and around a pond. The 3 story home is so secluded that it had no drapes or other window coverings.


ERic Smith. Tamiyasu when asked why he kept Eric Smith as a friend quoted a line he often repeated " Once a friend always a friend" Eric Smith is a very low life drug user who actually cheated Tamiyasu out of over $56,000. Smith was nearly broke and a social outcaste. He found his wife on the internet from Russia. Tamiyasu was the financial backer for Smith who had the dealers license to sell cars and insurance. Tamiyasu said Smith took the profits from the used car lot and cheated Tamiyasu. In this memo he is only referred to as Smith.

Wampler has a very checkered pass but in a small community has gotten away with perhaps literally murder in other issues. His closest friends are know drug suppliers but are protected by this stereo typic small town sheriff. It was well reported the day after the murder was reported (Monday) that Wampler's wife had an ongoing affair with Tamiyasu. Wampler was know to be ALONE in the house after Tamiyasu's body was found for quite a while. According to the Oregon Attorney General's office Hood River County under Wampler has the LOWEST resolution rate of murder cases in the State and probably the NOrthwest.

Diane (sp) was the lady that had spent most of the Saturday night before the death with Eric and had had sex with Tamiyasu. Diane had a son out of wed lock by a person named Carter a very low life with an extensive criminal record. Known to be very jealous of Diane and her son he has an extreme temper. AT about the suspected time of the incident he tracked down a retired Sheriff deputy at a country gas station and made extensive remarks to him about the time and his presence at this station.

Ramona Tamiyasu was one of three people that Dixon spoke by phone immediately after finding Tamiyasu's body. Ramona recalls much more of the phone call that just the reported snippet. Dixon told her that Eric was dead in his bed of unknown causes. When she pressed him he went through a long list of causes that he had ruled out. Only one of which were wounds (as reported exit wounds). Other mentioned were pesticide poisioning ( he was an orchardist) , suicide (he was extremely depressed at times) heart attack, stroke, etc. But his body was too bloated and decayed to tell why he had died. note that when the 1) cops arrived they didn't see nor did the 2) county medical examiner,3) not the funeral home see the wounds nor any other cause of the death. I wasn't until monday late morning that the state medical examiner found at least 3 bullet wounds (not one exit wound was found).

Dixon was Tamiyasu's orchard consultant ( a professional biologist). He did not sell spray as reported by Smith. Dixon's training was as a Vietnam era soldier and as a field biologist in Vertebrate pest control. Eric's father, mother, Ramona, and brother all said that Tamiyasu referred to Dixon as "His best friend and confidant". Tamiyasu had taken Dixon and his wife to Seattle to help design his home. Eric had turned to Dixon about family issues, finances, and his depression. Dixon also knew of Wampler's wife's sexual relations with Eric. Even though he lived a few hundred feet from his father's home Eric had given Dixon the only other key to his home. The day before his death TEric had brought Taco Bell to Dixon's office to share lunch with him; an event that happened several times a week. Dixon found the body not the next morning but 6-8 days after the murder. Dixon was asked to go investigate when eric failed to show up for several gold appointments. Dixon took a polygraph test at his own cost and passed. No other suspect did so even thought Wampler promised that he and his wife would

Unsolved Mysteries was contacted by Ramona Tamiyasu to try to get the story told. Unsolved Mysteries' first producer and research crew was replaced after he did the research and the filming in Hood River due to the fact that the series had been cancelled and they wanted to save money. The original producer had told several people that in his long multi year history with UM he had only felt certain about the innocence of 3 people one of which was Dixon.

a Retired master Homicide Detect from LA was brought in to review the case files. His schedule was to put him here for 5 days. After reviewing
the files for less than 1/2 day the Detective gave all the files back with a note that even with a video tape of the even a successful prosecution of the case was impossible due to the bumbling and destruction of evidence of the Sheriff and lead detective Gary Tiffany. A federal judge offered to have the FBI come into the case but was rebuffed by the Sheriff.

A very large reward is still being offered mainly by two of Eric's friends; Andy von Flowto and Don Dixon.

The Tamiyasu family finally hired a private investigator to look into the mess and came up with the conclusion that the murderer of Eric Tamiyasu was no other than Carter. He had found his ex girl friend with Eric and became enraged. He followed them to Eric's home and knocked on the door when they began to get into heavy petting, running away when they paused to get dressed. Diane and the PI believe that Carter is the person responsible for Eric Tamiyasu's murder. Unfortunately due to the destruction by the HOOD RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF and his staff we will never be able to close this case.

I hope this helps. It was a very interesting case. One question remains for me ... how does Wampler continue to get elected?

Mssamspade, do you have a link to reference this website or an article to denote its authenticity?

I just stumbled upon this web site and I believe I have a lot to help with the Eric Tamiyasu case. Remember what you say was a television show not fact.
Back ground: All references to Eric refer to Eric Tamiyasu. Eric Tamiyasu's custom built home is well off the beaten track. It lies in an area of orchards miles away from any population center. Even once you are on the orchard his Lindel style home is difficult to find. It has 2 approach paths one through the pear/cherry/apple orchardpast a hired mans home the other more secluded is through a heavily wooded area and around a pond. The 3 story home is so secluded that it had no drapes or other window coverings.


ERic Smith. Tamiyasu when asked why he kept Eric Smith as a friend quoted a line he often repeated " Once a friend always a friend" Eric Smith is a very low life drug user who actually cheated Tamiyasu out of over $56,000. Smith was nearly broke and a social outcaste. He found his wife on the internet from Russia. Tamiyasu was the financial backer for Smith who had the dealers license to sell cars and insurance. Tamiyasu said Smith took the profits from the used car lot and cheated Tamiyasu. In this memo he is only referred to as Smith.

Wampler has a very checkered pass but in a small community has gotten away with perhaps literally murder in other issues. His closest friends are know drug suppliers but are protected by this stereo typic small town sheriff. It was well reported the day after the murder was reported (Monday) that Wampler's wife had an ongoing affair with Tamiyasu. Wampler was know to be ALONE in the house after Tamiyasu's body was found for quite a while. According to the Oregon Attorney General's office Hood River County under Wampler has the LOWEST resolution rate of murder cases in the State and probably the NOrthwest.

Diane (sp) was the lady that had spent most of the Saturday night before the death with Eric and had had sex with Tamiyasu. Diane had a son out of wed lock by a person named Carter a very low life with an extensive criminal record. Known to be very jealous of Diane and her son he has an extreme temper. AT about the suspected time of the incident he tracked down a retired Sheriff deputy at a country gas station and made extensive remarks to him about the time and his presence at this station.

Ramona Tamiyasu was one of three people that Dixon spoke by phone immediately after finding Tamiyasu's body. Ramona recalls much more of the phone call that just the reported snippet. Dixon told her that Eric was dead in his bed of unknown causes. When she pressed him he went through a long list of causes that he had ruled out. Only one of which were wounds (as reported exit wounds). Other mentioned were pesticide poisioning ( he was an orchardist) , suicide (he was extremely depressed at times) heart attack, stroke, etc. But his body was too bloated and decayed to tell why he had died. note that when the 1) cops arrived they didn't see nor did the 2) county medical examiner,3) not the funeral home see the wounds nor any other cause of the death. I wasn't until monday late morning that the state medical examiner found at least 3 bullet wounds (not one exit wound was found).

Dixon was Tamiyasu's orchard consultant ( a professional biologist). He did not sell spray as reported by Smith. Dixon's training was as a Vietnam era soldier and as a field biologist in Vertebrate pest control. Eric's father, mother, Ramona, and brother all said that Tamiyasu referred to Dixon as "His best friend and confidant". Tamiyasu had taken Dixon and his wife to Seattle to help design his home. Eric had turned to Dixon about family issues, finances, and his depression. Dixon also knew of Wampler's wife's sexual relations with Eric. Even though he lived a few hundred feet from his father's home Eric had given Dixon the only other key to his home. The day before his death TEric had brought Taco Bell to Dixon's office to share lunch with him; an event that happened several times a week. Dixon found the body not the next morning but 6-8 days after the murder. Dixon was asked to go investigate when eric failed to show up for several gold appointments. Dixon took a polygraph test at his own cost and passed. No other suspect did so even thought Wampler promised that he and his wife would

Unsolved Mysteries was contacted by Ramona Tamiyasu to try to get the story told. Unsolved Mysteries' first producer and research crew was replaced after he did the research and the filming in Hood River due to the fact that the series had been cancelled and they wanted to save money. The original producer had told several people that in his long multi year history with UM he had only felt certain about the innocence of 3 people one of which was Dixon.

a Retired master Homicide Detect from LA was brought in to review the case files. His schedule was to put him here for 5 days. After reviewing
the files for less than 1/2 day the Detective gave all the files back with a note that even with a video tape of the even a successful prosecution of the case was impossible due to the bumbling and destruction of evidence of the Sheriff and lead detective Gary Tiffany. A federal judge offered to have the FBI come into the case but was rebuffed by the Sheriff.

A very large reward is still being offered mainly by two of Eric's friends; Andy von Flowto and Don Dixon.

The Tamiyasu family finally hired a private investigator to look into the mess and came up with the conclusion that the murderer of Eric Tamiyasu was no other than Carter. He had found his ex girl friend with Eric and became enraged. He followed them to Eric's home and knocked on the door when they began to get into heavy petting, running away when they paused to get dressed. Diane and the PI believe that Carter is the person responsible for Eric Tamiyasu's murder. Unfortunately due to the destruction by the HOOD RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF and his staff we will never be able to close this case.

I hope this helps. It was a very interesting case. One question remains for me ... how does Wampler continue to get elected?

This sounds like Don Dixon or someone very close to him. Who else would know about the constant Taco Bell lunches with him. I'm willing to bet that this poster never gives any type of credible source to what he just posted nor will he post here again.

If Don Dixon or a relative is lurking, I more than welcome you to enter or forum or message me directly. :)

I don;t know how the mods feel about this, but as long as the conversation is civil, I think we would all be interested to here Don Dixon;s take.

I'm open to changing my position on Don Dixon if his story makes sense.

If Don Dixon or a relative is lurking, I more than welcome you to enter or forum or message me directly. :)

I don;t know how the mods feel about this, but as long as the conversation is civil, I think we would all be interested to here Don Dixon;s take.

I'm open to changing my position on Don Dixon if his story makes sense.

I agree. Especially if he can bring legit reasons and justifications behind the post that was written above.

I gotta be honest. The story of the crazy ex boyfriends sounds good enough to be true and Wampler is crooked enough to cover it up.

Well I havent been on here obviously in 2 years.. lol..I was having problems trying to log in with my original screenname DRAGONFLY333221 so I created a new one... and first off I am a girl ...
but nobody has ever been charged in Eric's murder... According to my cousin who was one of Eric's best friends.. They have another suspect and they have had him for a few years now.. but obviously they dont have any evidence thanks to our moronic sheriff.. So sadly this case will probably be remained unsolved.. I still believe it was Dixon based on the way he ran his mouth at Eric's funeral.. I have it on tape somewhere... but yeah who knows.. Hopefully someday they can solve it so it can help all of us who knew Eric justice.. I knew him since I was a baby so it aggravates me that they never talk about it or try to do anything to solve it anymore..

ILSE

Neither my cousin nor his other friends had ever heard of Don until after Eric was murdered... and my cousin talked to Eric at least once or twice a week.. Don didnt hang out with any of them.. and according to Don at Eric's funeral.. He did Landscaping for Eric so that is how he got a key.. but see the alarm never went off... and I knew Eric... he would never have left it off.. and Don was the only one who knew the code besides Eric.. he said so himself.. I personally think they should have got a search warrant for his house... but yeah the cops in Hood River blow... My friends mom has been missing for 3 years and they still havent done jack**** in her case either

You taped Eric's funeral?

There is another guy they have had as a suspect for the past few years but they can't prove anything..

This is the second time this poster made reference to the idea of another suspect, one presumably not profiled on UM. Who is this person? What was his/her relationship to Eric Tamiyasu? Why is s/he a suspect?

This is the second time this poster made reference to the idea of another suspect, one presumably not profiled on UM. Who is this person? What was his/her relationship to Eric Tamiyasu? Why is s/he a suspect?

I dont know if its the case with this person, but I believe Don Dixon is on here under another name. That post above that rambles on about Taco Bell lnches and how close Eric and Don were just seems to be something that he wrote.

Also, has it ever been discussed as to how close Don and Eric really were? The other Eric claims that Don was just an acquantance of Eric but Don claims that they were real good friends. Has Eric's family ever touched on this? Also, Dixon claims that the reason he went to Eric's house (when he found the body) is because hew received phone calls from several of Eric's "friends". Have these "friends" been identified?

This is the second time this poster made reference to the idea of another suspect, one presumably not profiled on UM. Who is this person? What was his/her relationship to Eric Tamiyasu? Why is s/he a suspect?

I find something else a little odd about this. We all seem to agree that at the very least, Don Dixon isn't very genuine and may even be putting himself into the story more than he actually was (i.e. Eric's closest friend and confidant, Taco Bell lunches, etc..). So if Don Dixon wasn't the killer and had nothing to do with the murder, why is he involving himself and pointing the finger at almost everyone when he shouldn't even be that involved to begin with? What I wouldn't give to find out who these "friends of Eric's" are that supposedly called Don asking about Eric, which in turn, made Don go to Eric's house and find his body.

Was it ever determined if Eric was killed while he was asleep? I know he was found dead on the bed but did they determine whether or not he was asleep or if he was even killed in his bedroom?

If there is a case that smells something awful it is this one, and it has always been the case with this one. Sheriff Wampler was either in on it or wanted to cover up. There is no way a competent person such as a police chief would burn potential evidence by accident. I have always thought he was at the very least afraid of finding his wife's DNA on that bed. So that is the LEAST I think he is guilty of. The most I think is him and Dixon being involved in the murder and teaming up to cover it up brilliantly.

I think we can all agree that Eric's date for the evening is being honest. There is no reason for her to lie about anything and if anything her telling what she knows would only piss off the wrong person. So she took a gamble coming forward.

If there is a case that smells something awful it is this one, and it has always been the case with this one. Sheriff Wampler was either in on it or wanted to cover up. There is no way a competent person such as a police chief would burn potential evidence by accident. I have always thought he was at the very least afraid of finding his wife's DNA on that bed. So that is the LEAST I think he is guilty of. The most I think is him and Dixon being involved in the murder and teaming up to cover it up brilliantly.

I think we can all agree that Eric's date for the evening is being honest. There is no reason for her to lie about anything and if anything her telling what she knows would only piss off the wrong person. So she took a gamble coming forward.

You and I see eye to eye on this one. I personally believe Don Dixon murdered Eric. I have no idea why. Several scenarios have been thrown out there before. But then I also think that Wampler burned the bed to get rid of any and all DNA of his wife that may be in that bed. Think about it, if her DNA is found in the bed, he immediately becomes a suspect, regardless of if he did it.

Was it ever determined if Eric was killed while he was asleep? I know he was found dead on the bed but did they determine whether or not he was asleep or if he was even killed in his bedroom?

I don't think there would be any way to determine if someone died in their sleep, directly. Had the bed not been destroyed, there would have been forensic evidence contained thereon re: blood patterns, bullet holes, etc., that could have proven Tamiyasu was killed there (or not).

I'm torn on this one. Don Dixon actions were odd, he was odd, and his actions and the potential discrepancies in his story make him suspicious, but there's was no actual evidence linking him to the murder. He's certainly a suspect, but I think declarations of his guilt are premature, at best.

The Sheriff burning the bed was an inexcusable procedural mistake. There was nothing more to suggest nefarious motives, however. The Sheriff turned over the investigation to the State and the "rumors" re: his wife are only that, unsubstantiated rumors from a dubious source (Dixon).

Personally, it wouldn't surprise me if the killing turned out to be unrelated at all to any of the theories presented in the segment.

I don't think there would be any way to determine if someone died in their sleep, directly. Had the bed not been destroyed, there would have been forensic evidence contained thereon re: blood patterns, bullet holes, etc., that could have proven Tamiyasu was killed there (or not).

I'm torn on this one. Don Dixon actions were odd, he was odd, and his actions and the potential discrepancies in his story make him suspicious, but there's was no actual evidence linking him to the murder. He's certainly a suspect, but I think declarations of his guilt are premature, at best.

The Sheriff burning the bed was an inexcusable procedural mistake. There was nothing more to suggest nefarious motives, however. The Sheriff turned over the investigation to the State and the "rumors" re: his wife are only that, unsubstantiated rumors from a dubious source (Dixon).

Personally, it wouldn't surprise me if the killing turned out to be unrelated at all to any of the theories presented in the segment.

If its not Dixon or Wampler, the only other thing I can think of is that maybe it was a crazy ex boyfriend of the woman Eric was with that night. Perhaps after she left, he broke into the house and killed Eric. The problems with that are that there was no forced entry and the alarm didn't go off. Also, if your a crazy ex lover, wouldn't you at least go after your former flame? She was interviewed in the UM segment and appears to be doing fine. The reason that I tend to point to Don Dixon is he claims to have had a key to Eric's house. Well since there was no forced entry, maybe Don used the key to get into the house late at night and killed Eric.

If its not Dixon or Wampler, the only other thing I can think of is that maybe it was a crazy ex boyfriend of the woman Eric was with that night. Perhaps after she left, he broke into the house and killed Eric. The problems with that are that there was no forced entry and the alarm didn't go off. Also, if your a crazy ex lover, wouldn't you at least go after your former flame? She was interviewed in the UM segment and appears to be doing fine. The reason that I tend to point to Don Dixon is he claims to have had a key to Eric's house. Well since there was no forced entry, maybe Don used the key to get into the house late at night and killed Eric.

IMO, there just wasn't enough hard evidence presented to confirm or eliminate any of the suspects and not enough to warrant further speculation.

IMO, there just wasn't enough hard evidence presented to confirm or eliminate any of the suspects and not enough to warrant further speculation.

We can thank Sheriff Wampler for that. You had said earlier that Wam pler had turned over the investigation to the state. How do you know this? I havent heard or read that anywhere.

We can thank Sheriff Wampler for that. You had said earlier that Wam pler had turned over the investigation to the state. How do you know this? I havent heard or read that anywhere.

They said it in the segment, if I recall.

Destroying the bed is, IMO, evidence of one of two possibilities: (1) bad motive (some involving in the murder); or (2) utter stupidity. Neither one inspires much confidence in LE.

Okay I am going out on a limb with this one. I don't necesarily agree with it but we are brainstorming here. Eric Smith claims barely anyone knew Don Dixon. Dixon claimed to be close to Eric Tamiyasu and claimed to even field some calls from his friends. The cops HAD to have looked into these "friends" to say if Dixon is telling the truth unless Sheriff Wampler covered up for Dixon.

So therefore the only person alive is Dixon that really knows how close he was to Eric. Now Dixon is a married man. But did he have a secret out there about an alternate lifestyle? Could this be why Dixon claims they were so close yet no one would ever see them around each other much. Much of it was done behind...ahem.........closed doors. Maybe Eric had a secret too? Then he starts dating this woman and that irks Dixon to no end and it is a crime of passion.

Stranger things have happened. Perhaps Dixon is telling the truth about having a spare key to Eric's house. If this is true who in their right mind would give a spare key to a guy he buys "spray" from? They could have been closer than people think but it was in private.

I am not trying to smear Eric's name or drag it through the mud either

Okay I am going out on a limb with this one. I don't necesarily agree with it but we are brainstorming here. Eric Smith claims barely anyone knew Don Dixon. Dixon claimed to be close to Eric Tamiyasu and claimed to even field some calls from his friends. The cops HAD to have looked into these "friends" to say if Dixon is telling the truth unless Sheriff Wampler covered up for Dixon.

So therefore the only person alive is Dixon that really knows how close he was to Eric. Now Dixon is a married man. But did he have a secret out there about an alternate lifestyle? Could this be why Dixon claims they were so close yet no one would ever see them around each other much. Much of it was done behind...ahem.........closed doors. Maybe Eric had a secret too? Then he starts dating this woman and that irks Dixon to no end and it is a crime of passion.

Stranger things have happened. Perhaps Dixon is telling the truth about having a spare key to Eric's house. If this is true who in their right mind would give a spare key to a guy he buys "spray" from? They could have been closer than people think but it was in private.

I am not trying to smear Eric's name or drag it through the mud either

That has been discussed on here. I think its a very plausible scenario as well. However, the scenario we spoke of had Don Dixon obsessed with Eric yet Eric did not reciprocate it. I theorized that Don had a crush on Eric, Eric did not feel the same way or at least Don got the feeling that he did not feel the same way. The key that he had to Eric's house didn't necessarily have to be given to him. He could have stolen Eric's and made a copy or just simply stolen Eric's. However, if he did give him a key, which we will never know, then Don wasn't just someone he bought spray from.

I don't know if you've looked, Clockwork, but there was post a page or two back that we suspected was either Don Dixon or a friend of Don Dixon. You should check it out.

I don't know if you've looked, Clockwork, but there was post a page or two back that we suspected was either Don Dixon or a friend of Don Dixon. You should check it out.

Yes I did. And I wouldn't put it past that putz Dixon to post on here either. Although if it was Dixon he didn't seem to deny any rumours about him being gay or a murderer.

Yes I did. And I wouldn't put it past that putz Dixon to post on here either. Although if it was Dixon he didn't seem to deny any rumours about him being gay or a murderer.

Well I think he was trying to act like a thrid party sticking up for Dixon rather than admitting to being Dixon himself. I know Mastermind and myself PM him a few times but never received a response. I mean come on, who else would know about these Taco Bell rendezvous than Dixon himself.

If that's the case, then this murder will never be solved. Damn shame too because it seems like such a unreasonable murder. If the sheriffs office really is that corrupt, then it would take a miracle to get a new sheriff elected and new deputies on the force. I believe that someone who had posted on this thread claimed to be from the town where this occurred. I wonder if that person has any suspicions of the police force being corrupt?

I was born and raised in Hood River and I know Sheriff Wampler and his family. Of course nice people are capable of murder, but I really have a hard time believing that he did this, because he is a genuinely warm and kind person.

Nothing much happens in Hood River. It's a very safe town, it's really small, and I think it's really unlikely that a hitman was involved. We just don't have those kind of resources here.

Okay...last reponse I swear!!!


Quote:
Originally Posted by Hambone2421
If that's the case, then this murder will never be solved. Damn shame too because it seems like such a unreasonable murder. If the sheriffs office really is that corrupt, then it would take a miracle to get a new sheriff elected and new deputies on the force. I believe that someone who had posted on this thread claimed to be from the town where this occurred. I wonder if that person has any suspicions of the police force being corrupt?

I was born and raised in Hood River and I know Sheriff Wampler and his family. Of course nice people are capable of murder, but I really have a hard time believing that he did this, because he is a genuinely warm and kind person.

Nothing much happens in Hood River. It's a very safe town, it's really small, and

[QUOTE]I think it's really unlikely that a hitman was involved.
We just don't have those kind of resources here.

All that means is you just don;t have professional hitman who do hits for a living.

If you are in a small town you still have
1. law enforcement and ex-law enforcement
2. ex-cons
3. drug dealers
4. drunks and drug addicts
5.current and ex-soldiers
6. juvenile delinquents
7. psychopaths

All of which can be hired to hit someone.

People tend to believe that just because there is no violent crime in an area, that there is no criminal activity occuring. Drug use, contraband and illegal business activity exist in every town in america. It just doesn't lead to people shooting each other as it does in large cities. If there is no competition and criminals are happy..they don;t kill anybody.

That being said...

1.Marijauna dealing was/is very large Oregon if I remember. That alone brings potential hitmen. I think crystal meth was even making it's way inroads then.

2. Hood River is a port city. Where you have ports..there is always the potential for contraband and smuggling which is done by.

3. I could be wrong but Hood River is near a reservation. The spillage crime on Indian Reservation is something to consider.


I really have a hard time believing that he did this, because he is a genuinely warm and kind person.

I'm sure his and would probably enjoy talking to him and having him as a friend or a relative.

However he also;
1. Carries a gun
2. Has into potentially dangerous situations.
3. Is a politician and has to play the political game to keep his job.
4. has enemies that would want to see him either dead or banished from the job.
5. Has to reduce crime in the area using tactical methods.


You don't get to be a sheriff for as long as Wampler by simply being a nice guy.

I was born and raised in Hood River and I know Sheriff Wampler and his family. Of course nice people are capable of murder, but I really have a hard time believing that he did this, because he is a genuinely warm and kind person.

Nothing much happens in Hood River. It's a very safe town, it's really small, and I think it's really unlikely that a hitman was involved. We just don't have those kind of resources here.

Since you know them, was Wampler's wife indeed having an affair with Eric, which had been rumored? Also, do you know Don Dixon? If so, is he the squirly person he comes across on tv and Eric Smith said he was or was he truly a close friend of Eric Tamiyasu's?

In the UM segment, Dixon first claims that he discovered the body, said a prayer, and then went downstairs to call the police. Later on in the segment it was revealed that Dixon also called Eric's sister, and mentioned that there weren't any exit wounds. Dixon explained that he had examined the body to look for any evidence of suicide. It's interesting that he didn't mention that before. It's also interesting that Dixon claims he was doing his own investigation on the body, especially when the body was in such an advanced state of decomposition. Personally if I found my close friend dead like that I wouldn't be able to stay in the room for long, let alone poke around the decomposed body looking for exit wounds.

In the UM segment, Dixon first claims that he discovered the body, said a prayer, and then went downstairs to call the police. Later on in the segment it was revealed that Dixon also called Eric's sister, and mentioned that there weren't any exit wounds. Dixon explained that he had examined the body to look for any evidence of suicide. It's interesting that he didn't mention that before. It's also interesting that Dixon claims he was doing his own investigation on the body, especially when the body was in such an advanced state of decomposition. Personally if I found my close friend dead like that I wouldn't be able to stay in the room for long, let alone poke around the decomposed body looking for exit wounds.

Yes a normal person would not have the stomach or even the heart to see their dead friend there. You'd either go screaming out of the room or be vomitting in the toilet by the sounds of how Eric's body was found.

But that is just the thing. Dixon likely wasn't very close to Eric at all. And he probably murdered him too which is something no one here goes against.

Just came across a thought..I think this was mentioned before..

..what if Don Dixon and Eric Tamiyasu were growing marijuana on Eric's orchard's? (can you do that from those type of orchards?)

It would explain Don and Eric's mysterious relationship

"He's someone I buy spray from.."

"Most of his friends never heard of Don"

I bet that Eric would ignore Don's friend request on Facebook had it existed then

I bet that Eric would ignore Don's friend request on Facebook had it existed then

I'm laughing at the thought of the 'Taco Bell rendezvous' being posted on facebook.

what if Don Dixon and Eric Tamiyasu were growing marijuana on Eric's orchard's? (can you do that from those type of orchards?)


Good question; I've heard enough about marijuana (known or unknown to the landowner) being planted in corn fields, so it could be a possibility with an orchard, especially in a very isolated location. Didn't the segment say that Tamiyasu's business wasn't thriving?

The relationship seems so one sided; no one besides Dixon (and mssamspade) claim they were close.

I really wish that person that posted on here a few months back claiming the Taco Bell rendezvous, would post again. We all have questions for that person. Its obvious that it is either Don Dixon or someone close to Dixon.

The cops were dumb but Don was dodgey and I reckon he committed the murder.

Good question; I've heard enough about marijuana (known or unknown to the landowner) being planted in corn fields, so it could be a possibility with an orchard

You know that thought never occured to me..that someone could have been growing on Eric's land without his knowledge. If Eric found out about it, that would be motive enough to kill him.

I wonder if Don Dixon's close relationship was because he was trying to get Eric to go in with him on growing.

I wonder who runs the orchards know that Eric has passed away?

I bet that Eric would ignore Don's friend request on Facebook had it existed then

:lol:

:lol:

I bet Eric's dad could beat up Don Dixon's dad.


This post is wild speculative.

Quote:
Originally Posted by StackTime
I bet that Eric would ignore Don's friend request on Facebook had it existed then


Not unless he wants Don to buy more "spray" from Don.
;)


Seriously,

Why does that phrase "Don is someone I bought spray from. Period." bothering me???:confused:

The other Eric seems to insinuate that Don Dixon is practically a stranger. But throughout the interview the other Eric seems to convey that he knew Don a little better that the rest of Eric's family. Why else would he say "Don lives in a fantasy world."?

What I am getting at is that I don't think Don Dixon and Eric Tamiyasu's relationship is as one-sided as the other Eric says.

Not unless he wants Don to buy more "spray" from Don.
;)


Seriously,

Why does that phrase "Don is someone I bought spray from. Period." bothering me???:confused:

The other Eric seems to insinuate that Don Dixon is practically a stranger. But throughout the interview the other Eric seems to convey that he knew Don a little better that the rest of Eric's family. Why else would he say "Don lives in a fantasy world."?

What I am getting at is that I don't think Don Dixon and Eric Tamiyasu's relationship is as one-sided as the other Eric says.

Yea I agree. I think Eric Smith is just trying to discredit Dixon since he keeps throwing out all these accusations. I do think there may be more to the Tamiyasu/Dixon relationship that just "someone he bought spray from" but in what manner, we may never know. I also believe Eric Smith was closer to Tamiyasu than Dixon. Eric was the best man at his wedding and the UM segment showed several pics of Eric and Eric together and none of Eric and Dixon.

I searched for this "Taco Bell rendezvous" post and can't find it. Any help? I'm missing a piece of the conversation.

I searched for this "Taco Bell rendezvous" post and can't find it. Any help? I'm missing a piece of the conversation.

Apostapler, its on page 8 under the poster name of mssamspade. I personally think its either Dixon or his wife. Go check it out.

Oh thank you, I did. How did I miss that? That person knows way too many details, or at least purports to.

Oh thank you, I did. How did I miss that? That person knows way too many details, or at least purports to.

Yes your right. Mastermind and I have discussed this case at length and I have private messaged "mssamspede" and asked to discussed it with them. I think Mastermind has too but I'm not sure. I never received a response. I honestly think that person is Dixon. Taco Bell rendezvous?? WTF?

Not unless he wants Don to buy more "spray" from Don.
;)


Seriously,

Why does that phrase "Don is someone I bought spray from. Period." bothering me???:confused:

The other Eric seems to insinuate that Don Dixon is practically a stranger. But throughout the interview the other Eric seems to convey that he knew Don a little better that the rest of Eric's family. Why else would he say "Don lives in a fantasy world."?

What I am getting at is that I don't think Don Dixon and Eric Tamiyasu's relationship is as one-sided as the other Eric says.

Mastermind, do you allow private messages? I only ask because I was going to send you one but noticed that I could not.

Mastermind, do you allow private messages? I only ask because I was going to send you one but noticed that I could not.

Hold a second, i didn't realize I check it off.

I just went back and re-read the "Taco Bell" lunch post. So much of that post smells of Don Dixon. However, he does mention another name of Andy Von Flowto, who he claims is a fellow friend of Eric's and that he (Dixon) and Von Flowto have set up a reward for this case. I wish we could get a hold of that guy to find out just how close Dixon and Eric really were.

I know we've beaten this point to death, but after re-reading that post, it has to be Dixon himself that wrote it. He knows too much about everyone's business for it not to be Dixon.

I just went back and re-read the "Taco Bell" lunch post. So much of that post smells of Don Dixon. However, he does mention another name of Andy Von Flowto, who he claims is a fellow friend of Eric's and that he (Dixon) and Von Flowto have set up a reward for this case. I wish we could get a hold of that guy to find out just how close Dixon and Eric really were.

I know we've beaten this point to death, but after re-reading that post, it has to be Dixon himself that wrote it. He knows too much about everyone's business for it not to be Dixon.

Don Dixon needs a life, man. Man love going a bit too far.

Don Dixon needs a life, man. Man love going a bit too far.

Am I the only one that thinks were looking too much into Don Dixon's relationship with Eric? That maybe going down the wrong path with the whole homosexual love/man crush angle?

It could be that Don Dixon is just an incredibly annoying person who likes to stick his nose into everything? A busybody?:confused:

It could be that Don Dixon is just an incredibly annoying person who likes to stick his nose into everything? A busybody?:confused:


I agree with you and I think I may have mentioned that before. I highly doubt there is anything to the homosexual thing. I just think Don is one of those people who thinks everyone he meets, is his best friend. I also think that he may have wanted to be really good friends with Eric and just stuck his nose into everyone's business. Still, I'd love to hear from this Andy Von Flowto character to see if he can validate Dixon's claims. Also, if Dixon and Von Flowto truly do have a reward up for Eric's murderer being found, then maybe Dixon really was close with Eric since there aren't any other rewards out there.

I just did a quick search and found this - kinda interesting

Well at least we now know he's for real

http://www.dodsbir.net/SuccessStories/hoodtech.htm

I just did a quick search and found this - kinda interesting

Well at least we now know he's for real

http://www.dodsbir.net/SuccessStories/hoodtech.htm

Yea, I just wish we had confirmation about his friendship with Dixon and Eric and to see if he truly is part of a group that has an award up. I don't know about anyone else but if Dixon and Von Flowto truly do have a reward up for Eric's murder and no one else does, I may change my opinion of Don Dixon as the possible perpetrator.

I don't know about anyone else but if Dixon and Von Flowto truly do have a reward up for Eric's murder and no one else does, I may change my opinion of Don Dixon as the possible perpetrator.

If you think about it, it;s not really that big a risk on Don Dixon's part.

It's a no-lose situation.

1.If he's the killer, the only way the reward can be collected is if he's arrested. At that point, money may be the least of his concerns.

2.As long as he's not caught, the reward will never be paid.

3. If someone else is found and arrested for the crime, Don Dixon would have his name cleared of the crime. That has to be worth something.

If you think about it, it;s not really that big a risk on Don Dixon's part.

It's a no-lose situation.

1.If he's the killer, the only way the reward can be collected is if he's arrested. At that point, money may be the least of his concerns.

2.As long as he's not caught, the reward will never be paid.

3. If someone else is found and arrested for the crime, Don Dixon would have his name cleared of the crime. That has to be worth something.

I see your point but if this Von Flowto character is also in on the reward with Dixon and put up some of his money as well, then I wonder if he knows whether or not Dixon and Eric were indeed close friends and not just "someone he bought spray from." Plus Eric Smith has said "ask any of Eric's friends and they don't even know who Don is." Well apparently Von Flowto is a friend of his or else he wouldn't be putting up a reward.

Von Flowto character

I'm sorry if this was mentioned already, but do we even know whether this Flowtow guys is a real person?

Anyone been able to find him in a phone book?

I'm sorry if this was mentioned already, but do we even know whether this Flowtow guys is a real person?

Anyone been able to find him in a phone book?


Yes, the link Smokescreen provided takes you to a page of his which gives you his phone number and address in Hood River. Who wants to call him and ask him a few questions? lol

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mastermind
I'm sorry if this was mentioned already, but do we even know whether this Flowtow guys is a real person?

Anyone been able to find him in a phone book?


Yes, the link Smokescreen provided takes you to a page of his which gives you his phone number and address in Hood River. Who wants to call him and ask him a few questions? lol

I may just do that, hambone.

Unless you want to first?

Just keep in mind that you may be calling a murderer who may have no qualms about adding one more person to his body count. Be careful!!

Also keep in mind that a high ranking law enforcement official may be involved in the murder. Sheriff Wampler could find you if he really wanted to. Again, be careful.

I suggest using a pay phone if you do decide to call. :)

Or better yet, go to a person's house that ya don't like
and make the call from there!

But seriously, just be careful fellas

I also found this in my little search

http://histfam.familysearch.org/getperson.php?personID=I4200&tree=Hood

Tells ya where Mr. Tamiyasu is interred

I feel this case may just be solved soon enough (but that's just me)

I may just do that, hambone.

Unless you want to first?

Just keep in mind that you may be calling a murderer who may have no qualms about adding one more person to his body count. Be careful!!

Also keep in mind that a high ranking law enforcement official may be involved in the murder. Sheriff Wampler could find you if he really wanted to. Again, be careful.

I suggest using a pay phone if you do decide to call. :)

Oh no, I wont be calling him. lol. That's why I asked if anyone else wanted to. I wouldn't mind calling Don Dixon though...

Ask Don if you could buy some spray

Ask Don if you could buy some spray

I will but I was thinking something more along the lines of a Taco Bell lunch. Would you and Mastermind like to come?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Smokescreen
Ask Don if you could buy some spray

I will but I was thinking something more along the lines of a Taco Bell lunch. Would you and Mastermind like to come

Only if they're serving shrimp tacos!!!:p



I feel this case may just be solved soon enough (but that's just me)

You really think so?

Personally I would be shocked if there was ever a conviction in this case.

Specially if Sheriff Wampler was involved. Technically he's running the investigation.

In essence Sheriff Wampler may be investigating a murder that he himself helped orchestrate. :mad:

Even if Wampler was somehow implicated...I can;t imagine it would ever get to the point where anyone in the sheriff's department would be publicly condemned, much less arrested.

The only thing that would happen is that Wampler resigns or doesn;t seek another term.

Only if they're serving shrimp tacos!!!:p





You really think so?

Personally I would be shocked if there was ever a conviction in this case.

Specially if Sheriff Wampler was involved. Technically he's running the investigation.

In essence Sheriff Wampler may be investigating a murder that he himself helped orchestrate. :mad:

Even if Wampler was somehow implicated...I can;t imagine it would ever get to the point where anyone in the sheriff's department would be publicly condemned, much less arrested.

The only thing that would happen is that Wampler resigns or doesn;t seek another term.

I agree. I honestly can't see a conviction in this case as long as Wampler is around because, as Mastermind said, he may have been directly involved. Also, if Wampler wasn't involved and the rumors of Eric and his wife were true, Wampler may not care about solving this case because he did not care for Eric.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mastermind
Only if they're serving shrimp tacos!!!





You really think so?

Personally I would be shocked if there was ever a conviction in this case.

Specially if Sheriff Wampler was involved. Technically he's running the investigation.

In essence Sheriff Wampler may be investigating a murder that he himself helped orchestrate.

Even if Wampler was somehow implicated...I can;t imagine it would ever get to the point where anyone in the sheriff's department would be publicly condemned, much less arrested.

The only thing that would happen is that Wampler resigns or doesn;t seek another term.

I agree. I honestly can't see a conviction in this case as long as Wampler is around because, as Mastermind said, he may have been directly involved. Also, if Wampler wasn't involved and the rumors of Eric and his wife were true, Wampler may not care about solving this case because he did not care for Eric.

Out of curiosity..

Is it the concensus on this board that at the very least, this case is not simply about Don Dixon killing Eric Tamiyasu out of jealousy? That there is much more to this case?

Out of curiosity..

Is it the concensus on this board that at the very least, this case is not simply about Don Dixon killing Eric Tamiyasu out of jealousy? That there is much more to this case?

I don't know what the possible motive could have been but I wouldn't rule out jealousy. Hell, maybe Don thought he and Eric were closer friends than most others and once he realized that he wasn't considered a best friend of Eric, he became enraged and killed him.

One thing that we haven't discussed is the body and the fact that he was laying upright, shirtless in bed. Does this lead us to believe that Eric may have been sleeping when his murder occurred? If so, Eric has an alarm system so the killer had to either be in the house before the alarm was turned on or had a key and knew the code to the alarm. Dixon has already admitted to having a key (which we don't even know if that's true).

Also, I wonder why Tamiyasu's sister was never asked or commented on the war or words between Eric Smith and Don Dixon? Maybe she could clear up just how close of friends Don and Eric were.

, Eric has an alarm system so the killer had to either be in the house before the alarm was turned on or had a key and knew the code to the alarm. Dixon has already admitted to having a key (which we don't even know if that's true).

1. It may have not been that hard to figure out Eric's code. A lot of people choose the most simplest codes. Don may have known another code to like a safe or something and used that.

2. If Sheriff Wampler was involved, there is a way for the sheriff's department to gain access through the alarm. Would not be difficult for the Sheriff to cover up any requests made to the alarm company. A good police officer would know the ways to bypass a security system.

3. It's possible that the knocking on the door wasn;t tapping, but had something to do with the alarm system. Perhaps the knocking on the door was their way of creating a diversion.

4. I wonder if the footprint that was alleged was anywhere near a window?

One thing that we haven't discussed is the body and the fact that he was laying upright, shirtless in bed.

Here's the tricky part to this.

1. Who witnessed the condition of the body, before the bed was removed? Was it just Sheriff Wampler and Don Dixon, the two main suspects? I have to imagine there were photos taken and other witnesses. But still...

2. This is where the loss of the bed becomes important here. The bed would prove whether Don was killed on the bed or elsewhere. And also from what distance.

2. This is where the loss of the bed becomes important here. The bed would prove whether Don was killed on the bed or elsewhere. And also from what distance.

How in the world has Wampler not been reprimanded for doing this?? This could be the sole reason that a killer is walking free. I wonder how many other unsolved murders Wampler has investigated like this?

Does anyone else think Sheriff Wampler ordered the bed destroyed for fear of finding his wife's DNA on the sheets?

Does anyone else think Sheriff Wampler ordered the bed destroyed for fear of finding his wife's DNA on the sheets?

Most definitely. In fact that's my main "smoking gun" if you were to point to him as either the killer or just trying to hide any possible trails that could lead to him or his family.

I don't think it was so much Wampler wanted Eric dead so much as Eric was going to be killed anyway and that it was in Wamplers's best interest to protect his deputies and/or the criminals involved. Money is also a possibility here. Again, this could be an on the spot bribe that Wampler accepted.

Sorry Mastermind, lol, but I was going back and re-reading our debate on this case and I never asked you a question about your response above. You stated that Wampler may not have wanted Eric dead but rather, may have had to protect his deputies. Well, wouldn't the main job of the head sheriff be to protect citizens rather than assist his deputies in killing them? I do know and understand that this is corruption in LE, but what would Wampler gain by turning a blind eye to a murder he knows is about to go down, then risk an informant or the FBI finding out what happened and charging him as an accomplice?

but what would Wampler gain by turning a blind eye to a murder he knows is about to go down, then risk an informant or the FBI finding out what happened and charging him as an accomplice?

This the ages old question about why cops don;t accuse their own.

1. Well, there could be a direct financial gain that Wampler got...or may have expected to get.

2. Code of silence. It is scary how much police officers will adhere to it.

3. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" -does Sheriff Wampler really want other people to look into his dirt if he exposes others?

4. "Look after your own". Another code that cops adhere to religiously

5. Keep in mind that Sheriff Wampler still has to get elected to keep being sheriff. A murder that involves his own deputies is not going. Even though the cover up dirties him somewhat..it's a lot better than it being proven that there was killer in his house.

6. Sheriff Wampler needs money to run as Sherrif. Some people are going to be less willing to give him money if he's not as "discrete" as they thought.

It's important to remember that a Sheriff is a politician as much as he is a police officer.

All rules that govern politics, govern the Sheriff;s position.

Does anyone else think Sheriff Wampler ordered the bed destroyed for fear of finding his wife's DNA on the sheets?

1. That would assume that Sheriff Wampler knew there was a murder.

How would he know that before the coroners report showed that their were bullets in Eric;s skull? Why would Sheriff Wampler think that there would be DNA testing of a natural causes death?

Remember that it was considered natural causes at the time Wampler arrived at the scene.

It wasn;t until the coroner's report that they knew it was a murder.

2. DNA could also come from the shower, toilet and elsewhere in the house. Why destroy just the bed?
Even Sheriff. It should be pointed out that no other DNA was found in the house. No any hair.

3. Why would his wife's DNA be on the bed? How long ago was the report of Eric having an affair? It could have been months since a tryst. Sheriff Wampler had to have thought that Eric slept with his wife very recently.

4. Why burn the bed? wouldn't the sheets be enough?

5. If Eric was sleeping with with the Sheriff's own wife. He wasn;t being discrete about it,. HE SLEPT WITH THE SHERIFF'S WIFE IN HIS OWN HOUSE. I think even Eric would be smart enough to find a hotel or someplace less conspicous to bed the sheriff's wife.

This isn't like sleeping with your boss's wife or soemthing. This is the wife of a high ranking police official. A police official who has numerous deputies in patrol cars that could follow his wife and find out

6. Your assuming that the rumour about the affair is true. For all we know this rumor was fabricated about after the bed burning incident. Or they confused the Sheriff's wife with another woman.

Eric was Asian. It's not like it would be unusual for him to be in the company of other Asian women. There's got to be a tone of Polynysian women living in the Pacific Northwest.

7. Much life Eric Smith's supposed motive, the genesis of the affair may have been Don Dixon.

8. Was in Eric's nature to fool around with married women? I would be curious if any of his friends (other than Don Dixon..) can verify if it was customary for Eric to fool around with married women.

9. So what if her DNA is on the matress? All the investigators would have would be a DNA of a women of Asian descent. Why would theyautomatically look at the sheriff's wife as a suspect or witness?
The Sheriff's wife is not going to be in criminal records, so there's no chance a match would occur. Unless she;s a suspect, I don;t think a matching DNA would be released to the general public. I think that information would be kept in house.

10. Isn;t Sheriff Wampler the lead investigator on the case???? If he doesn;t want his wife to be looked at as a suspect....all he has to do is simply not investigate her!! Who would question his actions?

11. If Sheriff Wampler really wanted to..he probably could have sent a cleaning crew in to clean the whole house.. After all it was a natural death at the time.

Sheriff Wampler burned that bed because

1. he knew there would be powder burns on the mattress and the sheets.

2. As Don Dixon feared.....Sherif Wampler also probably feared there wear exit wounds in which the bullets hit the mattress and through the sheets...leaving bullet holes.

Maybe even a bullet was left in the mattress.

Hey fellas.

So I finally get a chance to put down my thoughts on all this!

I feel this case may just be solved soon enough (but that's just me)

I shoulda clarified – “soon” meaning possibly within the next 20-30 years –sorry about that, my bad, lol

Why? Well as (former/ current?) Hood River resident CityofPain mentioned before:

I think our cops in this town are mentally ********.



Someone’s gotta slip up and/ or sing

(Keep in mind, again, this is just my gut feeling -I could be totally wrong)

Anyway, back to the discussion

Yes a Taco Bell dinner would be very nice

Okay, so I watched the UM segment again and after reading all the posts of this thread I have a few theories. Again, keep in mind, I’m not a detective and I’m just going with what I have, read, seen or heard:


First off - I very seriously doubt this was a random act. In fact, I gotta agree with Mastermind that this seems be a professional (or semi-professional) type of hit
It’s obvious someone wanted something or could have been ratted out and Eric was in the way.

Also, Sheriff Wampler had to have more of a hand in in one form or another -

OR really just didn’t wanna do any work and didn’t wanna bother

Seriously, What kinda professional in law enforcement tampers with a crime scene and destroys potential evidence??


Anyway, theory One:


Now that “something” could have been drugs (perhaps cultivated in the orchard), drug money, control of the orchard operation(s), land entitlement, property, something obviously worth a lot of money and something worth murdering someone over


Eric heard knocking on the door and windows which prompted him to go outside and take a look around.
Now if Diana Anderson hadn’t been there he probably would have been killed that night
Diana Anderson not being harmed. Hitmen more than likely won’t off someone for free and some even have a code of not killing women and/ or children (and pets)

Eric got three bullets in the head – passion crimes usually have the trigger person unload a few rounds and also usually tend to shoot more wildly. This seemed to be more of a quick, clean kill. A professional wouldn’t (usually) waste time and ammo

Hypothecally – Let’s say Don Dixon wanted something (orchard business, land entitlement, money, whathaveyou) and Eric was in the way. He needs Eric rubbed out so who better than ask the local constabulary and by offering them a cut of the take. Since the police would be in charge of this investigation no one question them and if they did, there’s a hell of lotta red tape to go through and may even be years before any action could be taken.

Okay so the first night, the sheriff’s dept or other hitman/ men wanna do the job but are sidetracked ‘cause Diana Anderson is there

So there's a Plan B: Eric’s probably a little spooked and more than likely going to more diligent in securing his home. Since Dixon had to go to Eric’s anyway, Eric lets him in they chat or whatever – Eric is probably relaxed. Then suddenly Don (or a hitman walks in) and puts three bullets in his head

Immediately there’s forensic evidence (Blood spatter/ gun powder residue, strands of hair, etc.) so the Sheriff decides to get rid of it (WTF?!?!)

So What Wampler says to Um is this:


“Based on the lack of evidence, that this was gonna turn into a criminal case, it was my decision to burn the bed. It was my decision at that time because the family, they might just actually appreciate not having to go through the trauma of viewing the horrid things that were left behind.”

– Gimme a freakin break. That argument is really weak



So Dixon gets (whatever it is) he wants (and/ or his secret is safe) and the Sheriff’s department gets a nice slice of the pie




Theory 2 and this is kind of a longshot) : Eric Smith could be the murderer (although I kinda doubt it). How? Again, just going by what msamspade mentioned in his/ her post

Eric Smith is a very low life drug user

Personally I go by the old saying , “never trust a junkie” (due mainly to my experience of having being unfortunately associated with junkies)

Motive? Eric Smith could maybe have used the orchard to cultivate drugs of some type – and sell ‘em as well as have his own, personal pure fresh stash
Then he lets Sherif Wampler in on the action a by offering a cut. In essence, bribes the sheriff’ and/ or persons from the sheriff’s dept to do away with Eric Tamiyasu and destroy a really important piece of eveidence. And then (indirectly) point the finger at the melodramatic Don Dixon


Don Dixon (can’t belive I’m even trying to defend this guy) just happens to be an innocent passerby. He checks on Eric, finds his dead, decaying body and gets really spooked. (Yeah, I don’t really buy this one either, but I gotta put it out there)

How does that explain him acting like a weirdo with very little social skills? Well, perhaps after dealing with chemicals all these years has made him a little “Eccentric”.


Theory 3: The fourth suspect –


Diana Anderson’s former baby daddy.


As msamspade put it:

Diane had a son out of wed lock by a person named Carter a very low life with an extensive criminal record.

He gets jealous so the first night it dosen’t work or he’s scopin’ out the place. He sees Diana so he decides to come back another time. The next time he manages to get into the home and kills Eric. Which really doesn't explain Eric's body position - had he been startled.

Also, if Carter had an "extensive criminal record, who's to say he's not a hitman himself? Or at least has experience in B & E as well and/ or using firearms (on people)?

Overwhelmed at this homicide, Sheriff Wampler just doesn’t have the knowledge, resources, experiences, drive or desire to even start looking into this case. so he decides to just burn the bed. So either he’s really lazy or he’s a real $#@^ moron, (or both) and Don Dixon is just a social misfit and nothing more


Theory Four: Sheriff Wampler has Eric rubbed out for foolin’ around with his woman. This one I’m really not so sure

Why?

First off, the affair with the Sheriff’s "Polynesian wife" story can’t be verified

And I agree with what Mastermind mentioned before:

Eric was Asian. It's not like it would be unusual for him to be in the company of other Asian women. There's got to be a tone of Polynysian women living in the Pacific Northwest.

I think it was more than likely made up to throw anyone interested in this case off the trail.

Why? Iit’s a tale of hot, spicy forbidden passion and hellbent revenge and human nature usually tends to lean towards stuff like that

And leads 'em to look in the wrong direction(s)

Which is also why Wampler won’t say anything because then it implicate his involvement with the murder even further. It would put him in the rock and a hard place kind of scenario

There is so much we (the general public/ the die-hard UM fans) don’t know about this story.

I wish I could come up with a better assessment (such as it is) but the facts just aren’t available


Again this makes me think if the three main suspects are just red herrings, but keep in mind, this is from the words of the cryptic mssamspade:

The Tamiyasu family finally hired a private investigator to look into the mess and came up with the conclusion that the murderer of Eric Tamiyasu was no other than Carter. He had found his ex girl friend with Eric and became enraged. He followed them to Eric's home and knocked on the door when they began to get into heavy petting, running away when they paused to get dressed. Diane and the PI believe that Carter is the person responsible for Eric Tamiyasu's murder. Unfortunately due to the destruction by the HOOD RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF and his staff we will never be able to close this case.


What I wanna know is:

(Apparently, again according to mssamspade)

Don Dixon's training was as a Vietnam era soldier and as a field biologist in Vertebrate pest control.

So he has been trained for military combat? So then he would know how to properly shoot a gun and/ or efficiently kill a person, right?

Would there be any public record of this?

And if Don is a biologist, what’s his Alma Matter?

Is Eric’s Orchard business still going? And if so, who’s running it now?

Who lives in Eric Tamiyasu’s house nowadays?

As Mastermind also mentioned:

Technically the FBI could investigate this case as local corruption.

Why hasn't the FBI actually done this and get the answer(s)?


Anyhoo, just my two cents

Smokescreen, I too have also given tremendous thought to the possibility of the killer being Diane's ex boyfriend. My only problem with that is I keep coming back to the following three things:

1. Sheriff Wampler burning the bed.
2. Don Dixon accusing everyone except for Jesus of the murder.
3. The hitman theory.

I cant see all of these things happening (such as Wampler's incompetence and Dixon's idiocy) if the murder was nothing more than a jealous ex lover. If Wampler and Dixon are completely innocent and have no knowledge of Eric's murder then why did:

1. Wampler burn the bed?
2. Dixon tell Eric's sister "there were no exit wounds"?
3. Dixon "playing detective" and accusing everyone and giving everyone a motive.

In my opinion, if it was nothing more than a jealous ex lover, why would every other squirrley thing involving Dixon and Wampler have happened? It seems like either Dixon or Wampler (maybe both) are covering for themselves after committing (or helping to commit) the murder of Eric Tamiyasu. But why would they do these things if it had nothing to do with them and was just an ex boyfriend?

Hey Hambone! How ya been?

Yeah I know whathca mean! This case just drives me nuts

I'll play "devil's advocate" for a moment

And keep in mind, these are just theories, I really don't/ can't have any real "die-hard" convictions due to the lack of info on this case (i.e. what UM didn't tell us or was not told)

(Although I'm leaning towards Wampler and Dixon because their actions and statements are really weird)

Originally posted by Hambone242 I cant see all of these things happening (such as Wampler's incompetence and Dixon's idiocy) if the murder was nothing more than a jealous ex lover. If Wampler and Dixon are completely innocent and have no knowledge of Eric's murder then why did:

1. Wampler burn the bed?

(Just guessing here)

He honestly (stop laughing) believed this was not a homicide and thus didn't see the bed as evidence. Also, gathering from what I've read, there are probably not a heck of a lot of homicides in Hood River (help me out here people) and Wampler and co. just didn't have the experience or expertise. That and he just really didn't wanna go through the hassle

2. Dixon tell Eric's sister "there were no exit wounds"?

I dunno, Dixon thought he'd be helpful? (Yeah I always thought that particular "no exit wounds" statement was mondo bizarro)

3. Dixon "playing detective" and accusing everyone and giving everyone a motive.

Maybe all those years of him being around rodenticide got to his brain?

Yeah, I hear ya, Hambone - the whole tampering with a crime scene and destroying evidence just screams "guilty". However, more info is needed to really determine if Wampler and Dixon orchestrated the whole murder and/ or in cahoots or if they really are a couple of eccentric morons.

Plus there's no way to confirm if Diana Anderson's criminal baby daddy is even real. We're just going by what mssamspade posted and how do we even know this person isn't just some crackpot who really likes Taco Bell?

Dang, I wish CityofPain would post again - she seemed to be the real deal

Dang, I wish CityofPain would post again - she seemed to be the real deal

I agree. Even mssamspede would be nice to hear from. Even if they are full of it, I'm guessing they are either from the area or knew Eric based on the information given. mssamspede named Von Flowto in his post, a person who we were not aware of.

I've tried calling Wampler at his office several times but he never answers the phone and I'm not gonna leave a VM asking for a return call either because I doubt he wants to talk about the case. This is the only case I would ever investigate on my own.

He honestly (stop laughing) believed this was not a homicide and thus didn't see the bed as evidence.

If Wampler is innocent, Why should he think it was a homicide? Nobody knew it was a homicide until the 3 bullets were found in the autopsy.

I've tried calling Wampler at his office several times but he never answers the phone and I'm not gonna leave a VM asking for a return call either because I doubt he wants to talk about the case. This is the only case I would ever investigate on my own.

Use caution, hambone!

Use caution, hambone!

When they ask me for my name, I'll tell them its SmokeHam Mastermind in honor of us three, lol.

Just saw this segment for the first time last night.
I think that Don and the police sheriff were in cahoots. The business partner guy seems the least guilty to me.

Originally posted by Hambone2421 I'll tell them its SmokeHam Mastermind in honor of us three, lol.

Y'know, Master SmokeHam sounds kinda catchy lol

;)

Well, I found out one thing

Originally posted by me Is Eric’s Orchard business still going?

Found this here

http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/sec_Experience/profiles/Tamiyasu.php

Three generations later, Tamiyasu Orchards has evolved to encompass 110 acres of pear, apple, cherry and peach trees. Bob Garofalo and his wife, Ramona Tamiyasu, an acupuncturist, run the farm.

Well, that's one question answered

1. That would assume that Sheriff Wampler knew there was a murder.

How would he know that before the coroners report showed that their were bullets in Eric;s skull? Why would Sheriff Wampler think that there would be DNA testing of a natural causes death?

Remember that it was considered natural causes at the time Wampler arrived at the scene.

It wasn;t until the coroner's report that they knew it was a murder.

2. DNA could also come from the shower, toilet and elsewhere in the house. Why destroy just the bed?
Even Sheriff. It should be pointed out that no other DNA was found in the house. No any hair.

3. Why would his wife's DNA be on the bed? How long ago was the report of Eric having an affair? It could have been months since a tryst. Sheriff Wampler had to have thought that Eric slept with his wife very recently.

4. Why burn the bed? wouldn't the sheets be enough?

5. If Eric was sleeping with with the Sheriff's own wife. He wasn;t being discrete about it,. HE SLEPT WITH THE SHERIFF'S WIFE IN HIS OWN HOUSE. I think even Eric would be smart enough to find a hotel or someplace less conspicous to bed the sheriff's wife.

This isn't like sleeping with your boss's wife or soemthing. This is the wife of a high ranking police official. A police official who has numerous deputies in patrol cars that could follow his wife and find out

6. Your assuming that the rumour about the affair is true. For all we know this rumor was fabricated about after the bed burning incident. Or they confused the Sheriff's wife with another woman.

Eric was Asian. It's not like it would be unusual for him to be in the company of other Asian women. There's got to be a tone of Polynysian women living in the Pacific Northwest.

7. Much life Eric Smith's supposed motive, the genesis of the affair may have been Don Dixon.

8. Was in Eric's nature to fool around with married women? I would be curious if any of his friends (other than Don Dixon..) can verify if it was customary for Eric to fool around with married women.

9. So what if her DNA is on the matress? All the investigators would have would be a DNA of a women of Asian descent. Why would theyautomatically look at the sheriff's wife as a suspect or witness?
The Sheriff's wife is not going to be in criminal records, so there's no chance a match would occur. Unless she;s a suspect, I don;t think a matching DNA would be released to the general public. I think that information would be kept in house.

10. Isn;t Sheriff Wampler the lead investigator on the case???? If he doesn;t want his wife to be looked at as a suspect....all he has to do is simply not investigate her!! Who would question his actions?

11. If Sheriff Wampler really wanted to..he probably could have sent a cleaning crew in to clean the whole house.. After all it was a natural death at the time.


LOL...so mark you down for a "no" then huh?

LOL...so mark you down for a "no" then huh?

Unfortunately, I have to put myself down for a no on that.

Epsecially since for your theory to work, Wampler would have to know their was a murder before arriving at the scene.

Quote:
Originally posted by Hambone2421 I'll tell them its SmokeHam Mastermind in honor of us three, lol.

Y'know, Master SmokeHam sounds kinda catchy lol




But seriously, If Sheriff Wampler wanted to trace your phone or your IP address on this forum...he could. He has the badge and a number to the FBI. He is the top official in his jursidiction. he controls all discretionary funds and approvals for traces.

Originally posted by Mastermind If Sheriff Wampler wanted to trace your phone or your IP address on this forum...he could. He has the badge and a number to the FBI. He is the top official in his jursidiction. he controls all discretionary funds and approvals for traces.



Well that's a comforting thought....:(



Anyway, what I'm trying to figure out is the motive to this crime.

First I was thinking perhaps someone wanted his orchard business?

I did a quick search and found this:


Originally posted by me

http://www.portlandfarmersmarket.org/sec_Experience/profiles/Tamiyasu.php




Three generations later, Tamiyasu Orchards has evolved to encompass 110 acres of pear, apple, cherry and peach trees. Bob Garofalo and his wife, Ramona Tamiyasu, an acupuncturist, run the farm.



So I'm pretty sure it's a safe bet Eric's own sister wouldn't want him dead, right? (If anyone could think up some reasonable possibilities that suggests otherwise, by all means post it.)

Okay so back to possible (using this term loosely) motives:


1) Eric was fooling around with the Sheriff's woman

Original source: Don "I said a prayer...sniff, sniff" Dixon

So for the moment we'll assume this is true. This motive would make total sense. It's a no brainer

Reasons that (could) support this motive:

-There was no obvious B & E in Eric's house (either they just walked in or Eric let the suspects in)

-Eric's murder seemed to be of a professional or semi-professional calibre

(three bullets to the head, clean(er) kill, tapping on the doors & windows the previous night to draw Eric out)

-Sheriff Wampler burns the bed Eric's body was found on

(thereby destroying any and all possible DNA or gun shot or residue evidence)




2) Diana Anderson's baby daddy wanted revenge

Original source: mssamspade

So for argument's sake, let's assume this information is true

Reason that (could) support this motive:

-"Carter" apparently had a criminal background so he could've very well had experience in shooting/ killing people


Again, both these stories could just be hearsay

Can anyone of guys think of an alternative motive?


The facts we have are:


-Eric was shot (three times in the head)
-His body was left in his house for over a week
-He was apparently found sitting up
-The Sheriff had the bed Eric's body was sitting on, destroyed
-The was no obvious signs of B & E
-The house wasn't robbed
-Diana Anderson stated that someone was at Eric's front door (and then ran away) the last night she saw Eric
-Don Dixon stated he had a key to Eric's house as well as the code to his alarm system


From what I've read, seen and heard, I've gathered that the person or persons responsible for the killing either let themselves in or Eric let them in

So my questions now are (the ones in bold were previous questions I had):

So Don Dixon (according to mssmspade) has been trained for military combat? So then he would know how to properly shoot a gun and/ or efficiently kill a person, right?

Would there be any public record of this?

And if Don is a biologist, what’s his Alma Matter?

Who lives in Eric Tamiyasu’s house nowadays, if anyone?

Why was Eric's body left sitting up? (Unless he actually was sitting up?)

Was Eric sleeping when he was killed?

Is there any way to find out if any signs of trauma were found in the autopsy?

What's Eric's former partner, Eric Smith up to nowadays?

Anyone have any info on Wampler's wife?


I tried doing a search for Diana Anderson but have not really turned up anything that isn't already known. Maybe one of you have more info.

I found out where the Orchard Business is located and found it on google maps

http://www.tamiyasuorchards.com/content/5194




Apparently, Eric's home is along the same road (Got that tidbit o' info here)

http://histfam.familysearch.org/getperson.php?personID=I4200&tree=Hood

but the satellite photos maps aren't too strong and I haven't found it yet - perhaps one of you can see it

Anyway, as you can see, this area is extremely secluded. For a moment, I thought it's very possible just some random maniac could just pop outta the woods and walk into Eric's home and kill him. However, if someone were gonna do that, why wouldn't they rob the place blind and take Eric's car?
Hell, even make themselves a sandwich.

So that's all I got for now

Heck, I dunno, maybe Sgt. Gerry Tiffany killed Eric?

Okay that's it - I'm tired and need some damn sleep

So I'm pretty sure it's a safe bet Eric's own sister wouldn't want him dead, right? (If anyone could think up some reasonable possibilities that suggests otherwise, by all means post it.)

Doubtful she would be involved.


So Don Dixon (according to mssmspade) has been trained for military combat? So then he would know how to properly shoot a gun and/ or efficiently kill a person, right?

Would there be any public record of this?

1.We would definitely need to verify that. Don Dixon doesn;t seem like the lean mean fighting machine type..so I wonder how long ago it was. I also wonder what he really did in the military or if he sort of "exaggerated"/


2. What you tend to find in a lot of rural drug organizations is that they are run by ex-military guys who came back home and decided to use their skills and get in on drug dealing. Don Dixon may have done some business with ex-military buddies.

3. Military history might explain a connectionto Wampler or some of his deputies. Perhaps Don served with a member of Sheriff Wamplers force.


Why was Eric's body left sitting up? (Unless he actually was sitting up?)

It;s possible Eric was never killed in the bed and was forced down and shot execution style. Again the destruction of the bed plays a factor here.


Was Eric sleeping when he was killed?

Again, the bed being destroyed prevented this from ever being known.

If Eric was awake and prone when he was killed...that leads a lot to more than one person killing him. I doubt Don Dixon could hold Eric down that long to shoot him 3 times in the head.

Here's a question....Why were there no bullet casings found at the Tamiyasu crime scene?

Who picked them up? and why?

Mornin' Mastermind (pssst! shoot me a PM one o' these days)


Originally posted by Mastermind 1.We would definitely need to verify that. Don Dixon doesn;t seem like the lean mean fighting machine type..so I wonder how long ago it was. I also wonder what he really did in the military or if he sort of "exaggerated"/


Anyone have any idea how to get info like this? And is so, would it be available to the general public?


Originally posted by Mastermind 2. What you tend to find in a lot of rural drug organizations is that they are run by ex-military guys who came back home and decided to use their skills and get in on drug dealing. Don Dixon may have done some business with ex-military buddies.
3. Military history might explain a connectionto Wampler or some of his deputies. Perhaps Don served with a member of Sheriff Wamplers force.

My thoughts exactly. Which would back up the theory of this being a professional hit


Originally posted by Mastermind It;s possible Eric was never killed in the bed and was forced down and shot execution style. Again the destruction of the bed plays a factor here.

With all this info and evidence gone, pretty much all we can do is speculate :(

That is, unless someone in the know posts again with some more info

Originally posted by Mastermind If Eric was awake and prone when he was killed...that leads a lot to more than one person killing him. I doubt Don Dixon could hold Eric down that long to shoot him 3 times in the head.

Agreed. Here's a thought, perhaps Eric was shot/ killed in a casual fashion when he was relaxed and not even aware the murdered had a gun
Example: Kinda like the scene in L.A. Confidential where James Cromwell shoots Kevin Spacey - except in Eric's case, his head is turned.

Again though, this is just speculative.. there's no info stating if there could have been a struggle or whatnot

Unless someone can figure out a way how to get access to the autopsy report -(Which I'm not even sure is possible? Is it? Anyone know?)

Originally posted by Mastermind Here's a question....Why were there no bullet casings found at the Tamiyasu crime scene?
Who picked them up? and why?

Well one way we could find out is by calling the Sheriff's office and asking ;)

(Yeah, Hambone will do it! What's the pseudonym again? Master Smokebone?)

Seriously though, those are good questions.
The reason I would believe is that the killer didn't wanna be traced and understood how shell casings and gun residue can help identify someone.

(kinda like, say... burning an entire bed)

I'm trying to see what standard issue firearms they carry but so far, finding nothing

I think the Sheriff's wife is the best suspect. If it's true that the victim said he was seeing a polynesian woman, are there really that many polynesian women in Hood River? If he did indeed have this affair with her and either dumped her or was seeing another woman behind her back, there's your motive. It was a small caliber gun which women usually use. He was shot in the bedroom so he was comfortable with the killer. He and his date had heard noises and tapping outside the house. Sounds like a woman spying on him while he was with his date. She may have confessed to her husband after hearing that the body was discovered prompting her husband to have to burn the bed in order to protect her. Men are notorious for wanting to protect their women. Makes sense to me. I wonder if the Sheriff's wife was ever questioned?

I think the Sheriff's wife is the best suspect. If it's true that the victim said he was seeing a polynesian woman, are there really that many polynesian women in Hood River? If he did indeed have this affair with her and either dumped her or was seeing another woman behind her back, there's your motive. It was a small caliber gun which women usually use. He was shot in the bedroom so he was comfortable with the killer. He and his date had heard noises and tapping outside the house. Sounds like a woman spying on him while he was with his date. She may have confessed to her husband after hearing that the body was discovered prompting her husband to have to burn the bed in order to protect her. Men are notorious for wanting to protect their women. Makes sense to me. I wonder if the Sheriff's wife was ever questioned?

Very interesting theory. The weird thing about this case is that you can make a case for each suspect being the killer.

The case was bungled from the beginning and it should be referred to an outside agency when the sheriff was shown to have a potential conflict of interest.
Unless there's a confession from the murderer, I can't see any way that this case will ever be solved. Too much time has passed and crucial evidence has been lost or destroyed.

There's no doubt in my mind that mssamspade was either Dixon or his wife. As for this mysterious "Carter" that they referred to, if this were a possibility UM almost certainly would have mentioned a fourth suspect. They interviewed Eric's date and she appeared on camera and I'm sure if she knew how jealous this "Carter" guy was she would have mentioned that to not only UM but Law Enforcement as well. As for the alleged affair between Eric and Wompler's wife, we only have the word of Don Dixon. So I take that with a grain of salt.

As for why Wompler burned the bed, I honestly think it was a simple mistake. At the time EVERYONE at the scene (officers, investigators, etc.) was saying Eric died from natural causes. Since everyone agrees that Eric was in an advanced state of decomposing when found, I can only imagine what that bed looked like after Eric was removed. I can see how Wompler would figure that the family wouldn't want to see something like that deeming it painful. That's when I think Dixon volunteered to do the duty and the sheriff obliged. If Wompler killed Eric, or had him killed why wouldn't he just burn the bed himself and dispose of it elsewhere? Why do it so blatantly and involve someone else (Dixon) in doing so? I think Wompler made an honest mistake based off of information (that was DEAD wrong) he received from investigators on the scene. By having the bed burned this is what started the rumors of Eric having an affair with Womlper's wife. And the only person who put that theory forth was Dixon, and even he didn't come right out and say it was Wompler's wife Eric was seeing, just a "Polynesian woman".

As for Eric's friend Smith, it's fairly obvious that he had nothing to do with the murder. I used to think all 3 suspects presented in the UM segment were innocent and that it was just a random act of violence, but after reading the posts about Dixon I'm almost 100% convinced he was involved or pulled the trigger himself. He had access to Eric's house for crying out loud! How else could someone have gotten in without forceable entry? While I wouldn't rule out the whole homosexual angle (Dixon having feelings for Eric, yet Eric rejects him) I think it's more likely that Dixon had a "man crush" on Eric, but Eric didn't even regard Dixon as that close of a friend which probably crushed Dixon. And I think Dixon had to have had help to carry this out. Eric was shot most likely away from his house (drawn out by the taps to the window) and then brought back in and placed in his bed. I just don't see how one person could have pulled this off so "cleanly". In other words, can you see Dixon (or any single person for that matter) shooting Eric, picking his body up and carrying it inside the house, place it on the bed, and then not leave any trace of themselves behind? There had to be a pro involved, but I still think Dixon gave this person access to the home, or may have even been there himself.

There's no doubt in my mind that mssamspade was either Dixon or his wife. As for this mysterious "Carter" that they referred to, if this were a possibility UM almost certainly would have mentioned a fourth suspect. They interviewed Eric's date and she appeared on camera and I'm sure if she knew how jealous this "Carter" guy was she would have mentioned that to not only UM but Law Enforcement as well. As for the alleged affair between Eric and Wompler's wife, we only have the word of Don Dixon. So I take that with a grain of salt.

As for why Wompler burned the bed, I honestly think it was a simple mistake. At the time EVERYONE at the scene (officers, investigators, etc.) was saying Eric died from natural causes. Since everyone agrees that Eric was in an advanced state of decomposing when found, I can only imagine what that bed looked like after Eric was removed. I can see how Wompler would figure that the family wouldn't want to see something like that deeming it painful. That's when I think Dixon volunteered to do the duty and the sheriff obliged. If Wompler killed Eric, or had him killed why wouldn't he just burn the bed himself and dispose of it elsewhere? Why do it so blatantly and involve someone else (Dixon) in doing so? I think Wompler made an honest mistake based off of information (that was DEAD wrong) he received from investigators on the scene. By having the bed burned this is what started the rumors of Eric having an affair with Womlper's wife. And the only person who put that theory forth was Dixon, and even he didn't come right out and say it was Wompler's wife Eric was seeing, just a "Polynesian woman".

As for Eric's friend Smith, it's fairly obvious that he had nothing to do with the murder. I used to think all 3 suspects presented in the UM segment were innocent and that it was just a random act of violence, but after reading the posts about Dixon I'm almost 100% convinced he was involved or pulled the trigger himself. He had access to Eric's house for crying out loud! How else could someone have gotten in without forceable entry? While I wouldn't rule out the whole homosexual angle (Dixon having feelings for Eric, yet Eric rejects him) I think it's more likely that Dixon had a "man crush" on Eric, but Eric didn't even regard Dixon as that close of a friend which probably crushed Dixon. And I think Dixon had to have had help to carry this out. Eric was shot most likely away from his house (drawn out by the taps to the window) and then brought back in and placed in his bed. I just don't see how one person could have pulled this off so "cleanly". In other words, can you see Dixon (or any single person for that matter) shooting Eric, picking his body up and carrying it inside the house, place it on the bed, and then not leave any trace of themselves behind? There had to be a pro involved, but I still think Dixon gave this person access to the home, or may have even been there himself.

You bring up several interesting points that I'd like to touch on.

1. Yes, mssamspede is definitely Dixon or his wife. I know that myself and Mastermind both PM him and never received a response.

2. I do not believe Wampler to be involved either. I think your scenario of the bed destruction is good and something I had alluded to in previous points. I believe that if Eric was in an advanced stage of decomposition that possibly Wampler had the bed destroyed to ease the pain of the family. If you have never seen a decomposed body, believe me, its not a pretty sight. My only problem with this is that he just happened to pick Dixon, the most likely suspect in the case, to burn the bed. Well of course Dixon would burn the bed since he (IMHO) is the killer. If Wampler killed Eric or had him killed, then why not burn the bed after the murder? Why wait until the body is discovered and then have it burned? It doesn't make sense.

The whole affair with a Polynesian woman was brought up by Dixon and, as I'm sure everyone noticed, Dixon basically blamed everyone else but himself and gave a motive for everyone else. I think he lied about the fight between Smith and Tamiyasu so he probably lied about the Polynesian woman as well just to defer blame to someone else and away from him.

3. I believe what Eric Smith said in the segment. I believe every word of it. He actually has evidence to prove their friendship. Tamiyasu was the best man in his wedding plus they had a business together. That tells me they were close friends. However, there is no evidence at all to prove that Dixon and Eric were as good of friends as he says. Which leads to my next problem....

If Dixon and Eric were not that good of friends and just acquaintances as Eric Smith alluded to, then why would Dixon have a key to Eric's home? It has been said that Dixon did some outside work on Eric's home. Its possible that he was given a key for this during this time period and maybe made a copy of it. The police have verified that there was no forced entry into the home which says one of two things happened: the killer had a key to the home or Eric knew the killer and let him/her in the house before he was murdered.

4. As for the point on where Eric is murdered. I don't really have an opinion because of the fact that bed was burned. Had the bed not have been burned, it would have showed any trace elements of gunshots or residue and could have said whether Eric was killed while he laid on the bed or if he was dumped there.

5. Some have suggested that Dixon and Wampler worked together on this. I don't believe this to be the case at all. If they did work together on this then why would Wampler let Dixon go on national television and point the blame at him, among others, and give a motive for doing so? It doesn't make sense to me.

In conclusion, I believe that Don Dixon killed Eric or had him killed. The tapping outside of his house could have been Dixon or the person he hired to kill him. I think the man crush aspect is spot on. Dixon saw Eric as a cool guy in town and wanted to be buds with him but Eric didn't feel the same.

Another thing I found odd about mssamspade's post was this person felt it necessary to post the fact that Eric and his date that evening had sex. What relevance is this? And how would this person know? Even further proof that it was Dixon (who seemed to really enjoy pointing the finger at other people). I actually think (in theory) that the more likely suspect would be a jealous ex-boyfriend of Eric's date that evening instead of a weirdo who wanted to have a bromance, but UM would have presented this in their case. Yes they are an entertainment show, but they also obviously want to help have cases solved. So I don't buy the whole jealous ex thing. More finger pointing from good ol' Donnie Dixon.

Another thing I found odd about mssamspade's post was this person felt it necessary to post the fact that Eric and his date that evening had sex. What relevance is this? And how would this person know? Even further proof that it was Dixon (who seemed to really enjoy pointing the finger at other people). I actually think (in theory) that the more likely suspect would be a jealous ex-boyfriend of Eric's date that evening instead of a weirdo who wanted to have a bromance, but UM would have presented this in their case. Yes they are an entertainment show, but they also obviously want to help have cases solved. So I don't buy the whole jealous ex thing. More finger pointing from good ol' Donnie Dixon.

Normally, I would agree and think that the killer was a jealous ex boyfriend of a girl Eric was dating or maybe even an ex girlfriend's of Eric's. However, the way Dixon acted and the way he pointed the finger at everyone just screams of guilt. He keeps trying to insert himself into the conversation/situation and point the blame at someone else and say how close of friends he and Eric were. Some killers like to do things like this and keep inserting them into the case just to keep it fresh in the public eye. Hell, Eric's own sister didn't even know who Don Dixon was for Christ's sake. She said on the UM segment that when he called her, she didn't know who he was.

I profiled a case once where a jogger went for a hike on his birthday and "found" the human remains of a girl. Turns out this jogger had killed this girl several years earlier and pointed out the body to the authorities as a way of giving himself a birthday present. He was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison. That guy reminds me of Don Dixon.

Another thing I found odd about mssamspade's post was this person felt it necessary to post the fact that Eric and his date that evening had sex. What relevance is this? And how would this person know? Even further proof that it was Dixon (who seemed to really enjoy pointing the finger at other people). I actually think (in theory) that the more likely suspect would be a jealous ex-boyfriend of Eric's date that evening instead of a weirdo who wanted to have a bromance, but UM would have presented this in their case. Yes they are an entertainment show, but they also obviously want to help have cases solved. So I don't buy the whole jealous ex thing. More finger pointing from good ol' Donnie Dixon.

Did you also notice that "mssamspede" claims that Don Dixon and a man named Andy Von Flowto are two of Eric's closest friends and are the only ones offering a reward? I searched the internet for proof of this and found nothing. I also searched for proof of Don Dixon taking a lie detector test and passing just as "mssamspede" said and could not find anything.

Did you also notice that "mssamspede" claims that Don Dixon and a man named Andy Von Flowto are two of Eric's closest friends and are the only ones offering a reward? I searched the internet for proof of this and found nothing. I also searched for proof of Don Dixon taking a lie detector test and passing just as "mssamspede" said and could not find anything.

Yeah if Dixon were innocent why wouldn't he consent to a polygraph administered by LE? Why allegedly pay for one out of your own pocket if you have nothing to conceal?

Originally posted by Hambone2421
Did you also notice that "mssamspede" claims that Don Dixon and a man named Andy Von Flowto are two of Eric's closest friends and are the only ones offering a reward? I searched the internet for proof of this and found nothing.

Well we know that Andy Von Flowtow is real -as I've posted this before

http://www.dodsbir.net/SuccessStories/hoodtech.htm

But yeah, I too can't find anything about any reward being offered

Well we know that Andy Von Flowtow is real -as I've posted this before

http://www.dodsbir.net/SuccessStories/hoodtech.htm

But yeah, I too can't find anything about any reward being offered


Welcome back Smoke, missed ya on the boards. Yea I remember you posting the link, good job on the investigation for that. Have you or anyone else heard from Mastermind? I haven't seen him on here in months.

Yeah if Dixon were innocent why wouldn't he consent to a polygraph administered by LE? Why allegedly pay for one out of your own pocket if you have nothing to conceal?

That's a good point. I had forgotten that Dixon rejected a polygraph by LE but then turns around and has one done on his own dime?? More and more circumstantial evidence is building toward Don Dixon.

Why would Dixon openly admit that he not only had a key to Eric's residence, but also knew the alarm code? And I think Wompler just accepted Dixon's explanation of being "best friends" with Eric which is why he had him burn the bed. As for the rewards, I have been to several websites that discuss the Tamiyasu case or have articles about it and have yet to see anyone about any reward for information in the case.

Why would Dixon openly admit that he not only had a key to Eric's residence, but also knew the alarm code? And I think Wompler just accepted Dixon's explanation of being "best friends" with Eric which is why he had him burn the bed. As for the rewards, I have been to several websites that discuss the Tamiyasu case or have articles about it and have yet to see anyone about any reward for information in the case.

That's just more of Don Dixon trying to sell us that he and Eric were best friends. I honestly think that when filming that segment, Dixon thought everyone would believe him and see him as the hero of the story with finding the body, calling the cops and "saying a prayer".

Originally posted by Hambone2421 Welcome back Smoke, missed ya on the boards. Yea I remember you posting the link, good job on the investigation for that. Have you or anyone else heard from Mastermind? I haven't seen him on here in months.

Well thank ye sir!! :cheers:

I dunno what happened to Mastermind, either! :confused:

I miss his insight

Anyhoo, looking at this case (which drives me absolutely mental, btw)

I'm trying to figure out some/ any possible motives for this

So first, let's look at what information we do have:

-Eric was shot (three times in the head)
-His body was left in his house for over a week
-He was (apparently) found sprawled on his bed
-The Sheriff had the bed Eric's body was found on, destroyed (by Don Dixon)
-No obvious signs of B & E
-The house wasn't robbed
-Diana Anderson stated that someone was at Eric's front door (and then ran away) the last night she saw Eric
-Don Dixon stated he had a key to Eric's house as well as the code to his alarm system
-Dixon eventually took an independently administered polygraph. The sheriff’s department says the results were inconclusive.

-Ramona Tamiyasu and her husband now own and operate Tamiyasu orchards - I found that out here:

http://www.tamiyasuorchards.com/content/5206

Okay, so possible motives would/ could be (And in no particular order):

1) Sheriff Wampler getting revenge 'cause Eric fooled around with his woman

In a perfect world, this would be the one that makes the most sense. Why?

-He's the Sheriff and could get away with it (due to no one in the department being a snitch)

-Has the bed destroyed, thereby eliminating any potential DNA evidence (mainly, his wife's)

-Eric's murder seemed to be a professional hit. No one new he had even been shot until his body was examined by the coroner

-The night before, when Eric was Stylin' & Profilin' Diana Anderson, there was (according to her) someone knocking on the door. This seems to point (in my opinion, anyway) that professionals were at the door to whack Eric -- but aborted the mission when they found out he was not alone.



The main problem I have with this motive is... The source of this idea is Don freakin' Dixon!!!! :wallbang

And I can't find any info regarding the Sheriff's wife online -- do any of you folks have any info?


Which brings me to Don's (possible) motives


2) Don Dixon wanted something from Eric

-But what, exactly? To get money? Land? Drugs? The, uh... "mancrush"?
-He's just a sociopath?

See, this is what drives me mental... Don's acting like such a suspicious weirdo and throwing out all these accusations... yet he's the one who found Eric Dead...plus was the one who physically burned the bed (After Wampler told him to)

As much as I'm by no means a fan of the guy... I'm trying to think of an actual motive for Don to kill Eric...

Who knows, maybe all those years of being exposed to pesticides turned Don into a crackpot

At this point, it very well could be a "man crush" -- especially when you look at his body language on the UM interview... he's a little effeminate...
(Not that there's anything wrong with that...)

Okay, the other possible "motives"


3) Eric Smith killed Eric for (drug) money/ to own the orchard business

Yeah, I'm not really convinced of this either--- I mean, the sources that point the accusatory fingers are: Don Dixon (oh what a shock)
and "mssamspade" (come out, come out, where ever you are)

4) Diana Anderson's baby Daddy wanted revenge

The mysterious "Carter" killed Eric -- but again, the the source for this was from "mssamspade" :rolleyes: ... so whatthehellever

Now Eric's house is in a remote, forested area... so if it was just some random manic, why wouldn't they also take some valuables?


Questions I have (besides the obvious, who actually murdered Eric Tamiyasu):


-IF Don Dixon served in "Nam, would there be any public record of this?

-If Don is a biologist (according to "mssamspade"), what’s his Alma Matter?

-Who lives in Eric Tamiyasu’s house nowadays, if anyone?

-Was Eric sleeping when he was killed?

-Is there any way to find out if any signs of trauma were found in the autopsy?

-What's Eric's former partner, Eric Smith up to nowadays?

-Anyone have any info on Wampler's wife?


It would be really easy to contact Eric's Sister, Ramona.. but I'd feel really bad doing so, I mean, the poor woman's gone through so much already


Any possible motives you folks can think of?

I think if you were upfront and honest with your intentions of contacting her, she might be more receptive. But also tread lightly.


See if you can't contact Don Dixon himself. I'm sure he is listed in the white pages.


Edit- how easy it really is, I pulled up a Donald G. Dixon in Hood River, Oregon in about 2 seconds. Everything you would want for contact. Not that I will post it, but it is out there in case we get gutsy.

Does the "G" stand for "goofball"?

OR maybe "Guilty'?

I read a post somewhere around here where Mastermind said that he was going to go spend some time on the Zodiac message boards. But then, I thought I read that he said he decided to come back here because they weren't very active over there.

Is he still MIA?

I read a post somewhere around here where Mastermind said that he was going to go spend some time on the Zodiac message boards. But then, I thought I read that he said he decided to come back here because they weren't very active over there.

Is he still MIA?

Yes, your right. He was going to stay on the Zodiac boards but they weren't active so he came back and started posting again and then went away. I hope he is alright.

Does the "G" stand for "goofball"?

I think its George.

If mssamspede really was Dixon, then I'm curious as to why he has not come back on here to discuss the case more?

OR maybe "Guilty'?



Or maybe "gunman"?

Why would Dixon openly admit that he not only had a key to Eric's residence, but also knew the alarm code? And I think Wompler just accepted Dixon's explanation of being "best friends" with Eric which is why he had him burn the bed. As for the rewards, I have been to several websites that discuss the Tamiyasu case or have articles about it and have yet to see anyone about any reward for information in the case.

These are some of the issues I have with this case and the investigation. Dixon wants everyone to know that he and Eric were BFF's and that he had a key to his house and knew the alarm code. Well if this is true, why didn't the police interrogate him more considering there were no signs of forced entry? The segment does not really go into detail on how much interrogating they did, but it does say that Dixon refused a polygraph. Normally when you have a murder case with no forced entry, you look at close friends and family. But when you have one of those close friends saying he found the body by entering the home with a key and had the code to the alarm and refuses to take a polygraph, it becomes even more suspicious.

Originally posted by Hambone2421 why didn't the police interrogate him more considering there were no signs of forced entry?


Because they were too busy making him burn the bed ;)

These are some of the issues I have with this case and the investigation. Dixon wants everyone to know that he and Eric were BFF's and that he had a key to his house and knew the alarm code. Well if this is true, why didn't the police interrogate him more considering there were no signs of forced entry? The segment does not really go into detail on how much interrogating they did, but it does say that Dixon refused a polygraph. Normally when you have a murder case with no forced entry, you look at close friends and family. But when you have one of those close friends saying he found the body by entering the home with a key and had the code to the alarm and refuses to take a polygraph, it becomes even more suspicious.

I'm sure Dixon was (possibly still is) considered a suspect by LE based off of the fact that he found the body and had access to Eric's house. This case seems like it's just missing that one crucial piece of evidence that would ultimately lead up to it being solved. Perhaps it's the murder weapon? And I don't care about the whole "polygraph is worthless/unreliable" argument...any innocent person will almost immediately agree to a polygraph since they have nothing to hide. If they're worried the test may show them lying there's probably a reason for that.

I'm sure Dixon was (possibly still is) considered a suspect by LE based off of the fact that he found the body and had access to Eric's house. This case seems like it's just missing that one crucial piece of evidence that would ultimately lead up to it being solved. Perhaps it's the murder weapon? And I don't care about the whole "polygraph is worthless/unreliable" argument...any innocent person will almost immediately agree to a polygraph since they have nothing to hide. If they're worried the test may show them lying there's probably a reason for that.

I don't know. To me it sounds like Sheriff Wampler doesn't care about this murder. Why in the world would you have someone who is not a police officer (Dixon) burn the victims bed? Wampler claims it was done so that the family did not have to see it. I don't mean to be cold but who cares. I'm sure the family would much rather have their loved ones murder solved and use the bed to find more direct evidence of the killer. Also, why have a friend burn the bed. If the whole reason you are burning the bed is to ease the pain of the family, then why have a supposed friend burn it when that person may be going through the same pain?? Maybe those rumors about Wampler's wife and Eric were true and he didn't care that Eric was murdered. Bottom line to me is that as Sherrif, you are in charge of the investigation and if nothing has been done in 10 years and you ordered the bed burned, it makes you look like you don't give a ***** about the case.

I agree with you about the polygraph. Also, I'd like to know why Dixon refused the polygraph offered to him by LE yet took one on his own dime and supposedly passed it? Can these results be verified?

The theory of Diana's ex boyfriend "Carter" killing Eric out of jealousy could have happened but the only one who has said this is mssamspede AKA Don Dixon.

In every theory that makes sense that points away from Dixon, I keep coming back to Dixon because of the way he acted. Why tell Eric's sister that there were no exit wounds? Why point the finger of blame at basically everyone else who lived in Hood River and knew Eric? Why give motives for said people? Why burn the bed when asked? Nothing he has done has made even 1% sense to me.

I'm sure Dixon was (possibly still is) considered a suspect by LE based off of the fact that he found the body and had access to Eric's house. This case seems like it's just missing that one crucial piece of evidence that would ultimately lead up to it being solved. Perhaps it's the murder weapon? And I don't care about the whole "polygraph is worthless/unreliable" argument...any innocent person will almost immediately agree to a polygraph since they have nothing to hide. If they're worried the test may show them lying there's probably a reason for that.

Polygraphs are worthless as they provided no benefit to the people taking them and almost never detect true deception. An "innocent person" would be foolish to take a polygraph test, as it being inconclusive could be used w/ other information by lazy LE authorities to convict them of a crime.

Even if you are innocent, everybody has something that they want to hide. That something may not be illegal (it may only be immoral or embarrassing) but there's no reason that LE needs to know about it. It's very naive to subject yourself to LE questioning w/o having an attorney and then having the attorney instruct you which questions to answer and which to ignore.

Don Dixon was correct in refusing to take a polygraph. The fact that he later paid to take one himself is a sign to me that his mental state was/is extremely confused and that if he did commit the crime, he would probably be found incompetent to stand trial.

Polygraphs are worthless as they provided no benefit to the people taking them and almost never detect true deception. An "innocent person" would be foolish to take a polygraph test, as it being inconclusive could be used w/ other information by lazy LE authorities to convict them of a crime.

So when someone agrees to a polygraph and they pass and law enforcement no longer considers them suspects, how does that not benefit that person? An innocent person whose polygraph test was inconclusive would never be convicted on that alone. If you're innocent, there should be no "other information" that LE would drudge up, and it would be easy to be cleared.

Even if you are innocent, everybody has something that they want to hide. That something may not be illegal (it may only be immoral or embarrassing) but there's no reason that LE needs to know about it. It's very naive to subject yourself to LE questioning w/o having an attorney and then having the attorney instruct you which questions to answer and which to ignore.

You have nothing to hide if you are a suspect in a murder and you didn't do it. How else would the line of questioning go? Q: Do you know who murdered Eric Tamiyasu? A: No. Q: Do you sometimes put on a diaper and pretend that you're a baby? There would be nothing embarassing exposed if you were truly innocent. They would question the crime itself, not anything from the suspects personal life. If you had nothing to hide, you would have no problem sharing with LE. An innocent person does not need an attorney if they haven't been charged with anything.

Don Dixon was correct in refusing to take a polygraph. The fact that he later paid to take one himself is a sign to me that his mental state was/is extremely confused and that if he did commit the crime, he would probably be found incompetent to stand trial.

Don Dixon has the right to refuse a polygraph. But don't you think law enforcement would investigate a suspect more thorough for the mere fac that they did refuse to take it? Obviously in their eyes he has something that he's hiding, and he then becomes even more of a person of interest in the case. And there is no proof that he ever took a polygraph test other than Dixon's own word.

Don Dixon has the right to refuse a polygraph. But don't you think law enforcement would investigate a suspect more thorough for the mere fact that they did refuse to take it? Obviously in their eyes he has something that he's hiding, and he then becomes even more of a person of interest in the case. And there is no proof that he ever took a polygraph test other than Dixon's own word.

I agree. I believe that if Dixon refused the LE polygraph, then they should have investigated him more thoroughly. Then, if he goes on national tv and says he had a polygraph done on his own dime and passed, if I were LE, I'd want a copy of that report and then I'd ask why he refused ours but did his own and ask again if he would take one from us. If he refused to give me a copy of that report, I'd become even more suspicious.

If Don Dixon truly is innocent, then he is one of the biggest horses a$$ that I've ever seen or heard of. I've never seen someone as smug as him who points the finger at everyone else and gives a motive for those people all the while claiming that all he did was stumble onto the body.

So when someone agrees to a polygraph and they pass and law enforcement no longer considers them suspects, how does that not benefit that person? An innocent person whose polygraph test was inconclusive would never be convicted on that alone. If you're innocent, there should be no "other information" that LE would drudge up, and it would be easy to be cleared.



You have nothing to hide if you are a suspect in a murder and you didn't do it. How else would the line of questioning go? Q: Do you know who murdered Eric Tamiyasu? A: No. Q: Do you sometimes put on a diaper and pretend that you're a baby? There would be nothing embarassing exposed if you were truly innocent. They would question the crime itself, not anything from the suspects personal life. If you had nothing to hide, you would have no problem sharing with LE. An innocent person does not need an attorney if they haven't been charged with anything.



Don Dixon has the right to refuse a polygraph. But don't you think law enforcement would investigate a suspect more thorough for the mere fac that they did refuse to take it? Obviously in their eyes he has something that he's hiding, and he then becomes even more of a person of interest in the case. And there is no proof that he ever took a polygraph test other than Dixon's own word.

1) If you doubt me,talk w/ an attorney and ask if they believe that taking a police department polygraph test is a "good idea." the overwhelming majority will tell you "No." If a trained professional thinks that this is a poor idea, it is almost certainly a poor idea.

2) You always have something to hide. If you don't think so...perhaps you need to think harder. And once you have submitted to taking a polygraph test, they can ask you any questions they want. If they asked have you ever committed a crime and you reply "No." it can said that you have deceived as you probably have received a traffic or parking ticket in your life. If you use illegal drugs (or illegally use prescription drugs) you could be asked about that. If you don't answer honestly, it could be seen as deception.

3) Let's say you take the test and fail or the results come back as "inconclusive." Then what? Even if you are "innocent" and the results can't be used in court, the police can tell your family, friends, employers that you have failed the test in an effort to obtain additional information about you. How's that going look?

4) Talking w/ the police about anything other than a minor crime that you are reporting is a poor idea. There are simply too many ways that you can say or do something foolish that can make you a suspect in whatever they are questioning you about. It's your right to have an attorney present when you are questioned or to simply not talk to the police at all. Whether or not that makes you "look guilty" is irrelevant; the police aren't concerned w/ your rights. Only you and your attorney are.


When you submit a polygraph test, you have then made the decision to place your freedom and your future in the hands of people that don't have your best interests in mind. How is that ever a good decision?

1) If you doubt me,talk w/ an attorney and ask if they believe that taking a police department polygraph test is a "good idea." the overwhelming majority will tell you "No." If a trained professional thinks that this is a poor idea, it is almost certainly a poor idea.

2) You always have something to hide. If you don't think so...perhaps you need to think harder. And once you have submitted to taking a polygraph test, they can ask you any questions they want. If they asked have you ever committed a crime and you reply "No." it can said that you have deceived as you probably have received a traffic or parking ticket in your life. If you use illegal drugs (or illegally use prescription drugs) you could be asked about that. If you don't answer honestly, it could be seen as deception.

3) Let's say you take the test and fail or the results come back as "inconclusive." Then what? Even if you are "innocent" and the results can't be used in court, the police can tell your family, friends, employers that you have failed the test in an effort to obtain additional information about you. How's that going look?

4) Talking w/ the police about anything other than a minor crime that you are reporting is a poor idea. There are simply too many ways that you can say or do something foolish that can make you a suspect in whatever they are questioning you about. It's your right to have an attorney present when you are questioned or to simply not talk to the police at all. Whether or not that makes you "look guilty" is irrelevant; the police aren't concerned w/ your rights. Only you and your attorney are.

When you submit a polygraph test, you have then made the decision to place your freedom and your future in the hands of people that don't have your best interests in mind. How is that ever a good decision?

1) Of course an attorney would say it's a bad idea to take a polygraph without an attorney present. They want your business!

2) You don't have to have things to hide. Not everyone uses illegal drugs, and of course if you were given a minor traffic ticket you would say "no" to when asked about if you ever committed a crime.

3) If the test is inconclusive, I fail to see how law enforcement could go around town saying you failed. They could be sued for libel if that were the case. Again, let's say that this was true...the cops are trying to get information about you by telling people that you failed the polygraph. If you are innocent there will be nothing that would come out of their "investigation" into you.

4) I really get annoyed when people make it seem like "the man" is out to get everyday people. The police are trying to solve a case, and if you are being questioned about it there is probably a good reason why. And if you are innocent you would be immediately cleared. And lets say for S and G's that you were involved in an illegal activity that involved the murder victim somehow. Wouldn't you want to come clean about that to avoid further suspicion thrown on yourself in the murder?

The bottom line is the police were trying to catch Eric's murderer. And if Don Dixon was his best friend like he claims, wouldn't he do everything in his power to cooperate with authorities to help catch his killer? If innocent, why would he even have any reason to not trust the police?

1) Of course an attorney would say it's a bad idea to take a polygraph without an attorney present. They want your business!

2) You don't have to have things to hide. Not everyone uses illegal drugs, and of course if you were given a minor traffic ticket you would say "no" to when asked about if you ever committed a crime.

3) If the test is inconclusive, I fail to see how law enforcement could go around town saying you failed. They could be sued for libel if that were the case. Again, let's say that this was true...the cops are trying to get information about you by telling people that you failed the polygraph. If you are innocent there will be nothing that would come out of their "investigation" into you.

4) I really get annoyed when people make it seem like "the man" is out to get everyday people. The police are trying to solve a case, and if you are being questioned about it there is probably a good reason why. And if you are innocent you would be immediately cleared. And lets say for S and G's that you were involved in an illegal activity that involved the murder victim somehow. Wouldn't you want to come clean about that to avoid further suspicion thrown on yourself in the murder?

The bottom line is the police were trying to catch Eric's murderer. And if Don Dixon was his best friend like he claims, wouldn't he do everything in his power to cooperate with authorities to help catch his killer? If innocent, why would he even have any reason to not trust the police?
1) Yes, an attorney is in business to make money. However, they are also trained professionals that have experience in dealing w/ the police that neither you nor I do. Why would you assume that your judgment surpasses their abilities?

2) Don't know how many times (or ways) that I can say this: Everybody has something to hide. It may not be something illegal;it could be an affair, a sexual preference, drug use/abuse, dishonesty to a spouse, loved one,employer,etc. There are many things that people don't want others to know. By agreeing to a police examination against legal advice, and w/ little or no benefit for you, the possibility that any number of things that you have been keeping secret will be revealed for no useful purpose and to your detriment.

If you are somebody that has NOTHING that you don't care to have revealed to the public, then you are among the very few people for which that is true. Ask the late Richard Jewel how it is to be completely innocent and still have your life ruined by the authorities.

3) They could be sued for slander, not libel. Libel would be putting false or malicious statements into print. And actually they couldn't be sued for slander as they would simply be informing people that you failed a test that YOU took voluntarily or that your results were inconclusive. There's nothing untrue about those facts and they (LE) can do nothing to control people's perceptions of you when they learn those facts.Also, it's very difficult to sue public officials for slander and even more difficult to win such a suit.

4) You yourself have stated in multiple postings that you are a supporter Fredric Ross. If Ross had simply asked for a lawyer instead of running his mouth to the police, he would probably not be in prison now or he would have received a lower sentence than he did. ANd according to your to your postings, he's "innocent."

I don't think LE is out to "railroad" or "frame" most people. I DO think that they are capable of taking their perceptions of a situation and transforming them into "facts" when those "facts" make doing their job easier. I also believe that they capable of making many mistakes and then defending those mistakes vigorously when they are proven to be mistakes later. Both of those judgment and logical errors can cause significant issues for people who are actually innocent.

There's simply no reason for an innocent (or frankly, a guilty) person to take a polygraph test. It provides neither group w/ any benefit and could be used to your detriment. An attorney, who is a trained legal professional believes that and I have no reason to doubt that judgment. If the police believe that you are a suspect (and you know that you are not) isn't that more a sign of how poorly their investigation is going rather than a need for you to "clear yourself?"

The main issue about the polygraph is that Don Dixon refused to take one offered to him by LE yet took a private one on his own dime and claims to have passed it but will not reveal the results. Very odd thing to do.

The main issue about the polygraph is that Don Dixon refused to take one offered to him by LE yet took a private one on his own dime and claims to have passed it but will not reveal the results. Very odd thing to do.

Don Dixon is a flake. If he says something, it's either not true, exaggerated or possibly something he imagined. I think that it's safe to say that if you assume that he didn't take a polygraph you probably won't be wrong.

1) Yes, an attorney is in business to make money. However, they are also trained professionals that have experience in dealing w/ the police that neither you nor I do. Why would you assume that your judgment surpasses their abilities?

2) Don't know how many times (or ways) that I can say this: Everybody has something to hide. It may not be something illegal;it could be an affair, a sexual preference, drug use/abuse, dishonesty to a spouse, loved one,employer,etc. There are many things that people don't want others to know. By agreeing to a police examination against legal advice, and w/ little or no benefit for you, the possibility that any number of things that you have been keeping secret will be revealed for no useful purpose and to your detriment.

If you are somebody that has NOTHING that you don't care to have revealed to the public, then you are among the very few people for which that is true. Ask the late Richard Jewel how it is to be completely innocent and still have your life ruined by the authorities.

3) They could be sued for slander, not libel. Libel would be putting false or malicious statements into print. And actually they couldn't be sued for slander as they would simply be informing people that you failed a test that YOU took voluntarily or that your results were inconclusive. There's nothing untrue about those facts and they (LE) can do nothing to control people's perceptions of you when they learn those facts.Also, it's very difficult to sue public officials for slander and even more difficult to win such a suit.

4) You yourself have stated in multiple postings that you are a supporter Fredric Ross. If Ross had simply asked for a lawyer instead of running his mouth to the police, he would probably not be in prison now or he would have received a lower sentence than he did. ANd according to your to your postings, he's "innocent."

I don't think LE is out to "railroad" or "frame" most people. I DO think that they are capable of taking their perceptions of a situation and transforming them into "facts" when those "facts" make doing their job easier. I also believe that they capable of making many mistakes and then defending those mistakes vigorously when they are proven to be mistakes later. Both of those judgment and logical errors can cause significant issues for people who are actually innocent.

There's simply no reason for an innocent (or frankly, a guilty) person to take a polygraph test. It provides neither group w/ any benefit and could be used to your detriment. An attorney, who is a trained legal professional believes that and I have no reason to doubt that judgment. If the police believe that you are a suspect (and you know that you are not) isn't that more a sign of how poorly their investigation is going rather than a need for you to "clear yourself?"

1) Someone who administers a polygraph is a "trained professional". When they say that polygraphs are reliable and effective, are they lying?

2) Why does everyone have to be a seedy character in some pulp fiction novel? This isn't a Tarrantino movie. How could a murder investigation lead to questions involving affairs, drug use, etc. The focus of the questioning would be on the murder itself, not how many times the person being questioned toked up while listening to the Doobie Brothers.

3) A public official saying someone failed a test when the results were inconclusive would result in a lawsuit. I misused the word libel, I meant slander.

4) Again, not everyone trusts lawyers. Do they honestly have your best interest in mind, or are they more worried about your wallet? Why is it so hard to believe that someone who is innocent feels no need to obtain a lawyer? And Frederick Young is trivial in this matter. He never took a polygraph.

Why are polygraphs still given today if they are worthless? Have you ever worked in law enforcement, and do you know firsthand how "pointless" they are?

1) Someone who administers a polygraph is a "trained professional". When they say that polygraphs are reliable and effective, are they lying?

2) Why does everyone have to be a seedy character in some pulp fiction novel? This isn't a Tarrantino movie. How could a murder investigation lead to questions involving affairs, drug use, etc. The focus of the questioning would be on the murder itself, not how many times the person being questioned toked up while listening to the Doobie Brothers.

3) A public official saying someone failed a test when the results were inconclusive would result in a lawsuit. I misused the word libel, I meant slander.

4) Again, not everyone trusts lawyers. Do they honestly have your best interest in mind, or are they more worried about your wallet? Why is it so hard to believe that someone who is innocent feels no need to obtain a lawyer? And Frederick Young is trivial in this matter. He never took a polygraph.

Why are polygraphs still given today if they are worthless? Have you ever worked in law enforcement, and do you know firsthand how "pointless" they are?

Let's see:

1) http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-09-09-lie_x.htm

2) Seriously? If you submit to a lie detector test, you don't get to choose what questions they ask. Nor do you get to choose which ones you'll answer.


3) I never said that they would say inconclusive was failing. What I said was they can take the fact that your test was inconclusive or failing to various people and that can cost you your job, friendships and ruin your family.

Again, Richard Jewel.

4) Really? Umm..so not trusting lawyers is supposed to be seen as a "logical thought process?" The police are more "trustworthy?" Or you are capable protecting your own rights w/o using a trained advocate? If so...and I doubt that's the case...then you are the exception and not the rule.

Frederic Young. Thanks. I forget his last name.

Polygraphs are primarily given for two reasons:

1) To get the guilty to confess when they are confronted w/ a "deceptive" or inconclusive test.
2) A bad idea, once sown as a seed, grows into a hardy weed. Polygraphs are a bad idea that has grown into almost a religion among LE and intelligence agencies.

Polygraphs are not accepted as evidence in court and have no scientific validity. Taking one is a waste of time and effort.

Ed Walters of Gulf Breeze fame which was covered UM season 1 passed polygraph tests with flying colors and look how he was exposed? More info on walters here

http://www.spartechsoftware.com/dimensions/aliens/GulfBreeze.htm


In addition, just the fact that the local sheriff is a possible suspect would only give more apprehension for an innocent person to cooperate with authorities as fear of being framed.

If Don Dixon had refused to give a written statement or an affidavit that it adds more suspicion, but i don't think refusing a polygraph adds any more suspicion to the question of innocence or guilt.

As for who is more trust worthy cops or lawyers, that in itself is a different topic. There has been plenty of corruption in all fields that it makes the comparison futile. I have seen law offices and medical offices due collusion by deliberately getting PI patients more injured to collect larger settlements. In addition, the use of quantum meruit to hustle clients for more money, deliberately getting a lien place on a settlement so they can hold the money in escrow to get more interest, etc.

This is a very intriguing case that i haven't seen in a few years, i am not sure if they ever did? But Eric's famiy should have got a private investigator and had an independent autopsy done.

Remember Jerry: it's not a lie if you believe it.

Remember Jerry: it's not a lie if you believe it.

Excellent point.

Let's see:

1) http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-09-09-lie_x.htm

2) Seriously? If you submit to a lie detector test, you don't get to choose what questions they ask. Nor do you get to choose which ones you'll answer.


3) I never said that they would say inconclusive was failing. What I said was they can take the fact that your test was inconclusive or failing to various people and that can cost you your job, friendships and ruin your family.

Again, Richard Jewel.

4) Really? Umm..so not trusting lawyers is supposed to be seen as a "logical thought process?" The police are more "trustworthy?" Or you are capable protecting your own rights w/o using a trained advocate? If so...and I doubt that's the case...then you are the exception and not the rule.

Frederic Young. Thanks. I forget his last name.

Polygraphs are primarily given for two reasons:

1) To get the guilty to confess when they are confronted w/ a "deceptive" or inconclusive test.
2) A bad idea, once sown as a seed, grows into a hardy weed. Polygraphs are a bad idea that has grown into almost a religion among LE and intelligence agencies.

Polygraphs are not accepted as evidence in court and have no scientific validity. Taking one is a waste of time and effort.

1) There are people for and against lie detector tests. Some say they are reliable 61% of the time while others are in the 80-90 % range. Who are we to believe? It seems foolish that almost every law enforcement agency in the world would use something that is "worthless".

2) Yes you can choose to not answer certain questions. It's not like the administrator has a hammer to hit people in the hand when they don't answer questions. A simple, "I'd rather not answer that." would suffice. And they wouldn't ask any questions other than what would pertain to what you're being questioned about.

3) Police departments obviously are trying to solve cases, and by using a polygraph that someone failed of course they are going to look into that person deeper than they would someone who passed a polygraph.

4) Yes the police are more trustworthy than lawyers, IMO. As soon as a case is over with a lawyer will leave you quicker than a one night stand. A lawyer's interest in "protecting your rights" is all legal "red tape" as far as I'm concerned.

Here's an example. A person who gets a DUI is told by police, the courts, and commissioners that you should get a lawyer so he can fully explain your rights and would also assist you in the legal process, etc. It's almost like a scare tactic when some even talk about those who show up in court without a lawyer and they get a harsher sentence. Then when you obtain the said lawyer and drop thousands of dollars later, this person shows up on your court date and says no more than five minutes of trivial background information about the person on trial. That is not someone interested in protecting your rights, it's all about lining their pockets.

Enough of the polygraph debate, back to Eric Tamiyasu...I still stand by my statement that Dixon being the only person who could gain entry to Eric's house undetected makes him the number one suspect alone.

1) There are people for and against lie detector tests. Some say they are reliable 61% of the time while others are in the 80-90 % range. Who are we to believe? It seems foolish that almost every law enforcement agency in the world would use something that is "worthless".

2) Yes you can choose to not answer certain questions. It's not like the administrator has a hammer to hit people in the hand when they don't answer questions. A simple, "I'd rather not answer that." would suffice. And they wouldn't ask any questions other than what would pertain to what you're being questioned about.

3) Police departments obviously are trying to solve cases, and by using a polygraph that someone failed of course they are going to look into that person deeper than they would someone who passed a polygraph.

4) Yes the police are more trustworthy than lawyers, IMO. As soon as a case is over with a lawyer will leave you quicker than a one night stand. A lawyer's interest in "protecting your rights" is all legal "red tape" as far as I'm concerned.

Here's an example. A person who gets a DUI is told by police, the courts, and commissioners that you should get a lawyer so he can fully explain your rights and would also assist you in the legal process, etc. It's almost like a scare tactic when some even talk about those who show up in court without a lawyer and they get a harsher sentence. Then when you obtain the said lawyer and drop thousands of dollars later, this person shows up on your court date and says no more than five minutes of trivial background information about the person on trial. That is not someone interested in protecting your rights, it's all about lining their pockets.

Enough of the polygraph debate, back to Eric Tamiyasu...I still stand by my statement that Dixon being the only person who could gain entry to Eric's house undetected makes him the number one suspect alone.

Hmm...

1) Most LE agencies have few trained investigators and far too many crimes for those investigators to handle. Anything that looks like a "life preserver" (like polygraphs) are going to clung to whether they work effectively or not.

2) If you don't answer the question, it invalidates the test. Then it becomes "inconclusive." Try explaining an inconclusive test to people that may already be suspicious of you.

3) And since the polygraph is of little practical value, they'll have wasted hours, days or months on a "suspect" that may have nothing to do w/ the case. Or worse..may have not committed any crimes.

4) Really? How are the police more trustworthy? The police are civil servants whose main desire is to remain employed as police officers. Everything else is secondary to that. If you think that I'm wrong, how many police officers quit last year because of corruption in their departments? Or turned in other officers that are incompetent or corrupt? Unfortunately, not many as that would likely also result in them no longer being police officers.

While attorneys can be venal and corrupt themselves, they also possess training in legal issues and experience in court that the majority of adults do not. That experience is the only thing protecting your rights. Going into a legal arena trusting only in your "instincts" and believing that the authorities are somehow "in your favor" is a very naive mindset, IMO.

As to Don Dixon: There's no way of knowing how many people had access to Mr. Tamiyasu's home. Anybody that ever had a key could have come in any time they wanted. Or he could left a door unlocked.; we'll never know.

What we DO know is that Mr. Tamiyasu had a very messy personal life and it appears that was probably the primary reason that he was murdered. To me, looking into his personal life more closely will probably lead to his killer or killers.

Hmm...

1) Most LE agencies have few trained investigators and far too many crimes for those investigators to handle. Anything that looks like a "life preserver" (like polygraphs) are going to clung to whether they work effectively or not.

2) If you don't answer the question, it invalidates the test. Then it becomes "inconclusive." Try explaining an inconclusive test to people that may already be suspicious of you.

3) And since the polygraph is of little practical value, they'll have wasted hours, days or months on a "suspect" that may have nothing to do w/ the case. Or worse..may have not committed any crimes.

4) Really? How are the police more trustworthy? The police are civil servants whose main desire is to remain employed as police officers. Everything else is secondary to that. If you think that I'm wrong, how many police officers quit last year because of corruption in their departments? Or turned in other officers that are incompetent or corrupt? Unfortunately, not many as that would likely also result in them no longer being police officers.

While attorneys can be venal and corrupt themselves, they also possess training in legal issues and experience in court that the majority of adults do not. That experience is the only thing protecting your rights. Going into a legal arena trusting only in your "instincts" and believing that the authorities are somehow "in your favor" is a very naive mindset, IMO.

As to Don Dixon: There's no way of knowing how many people had access to Mr. Tamiyasu's home. Anybody that ever had a key could have come in any time they wanted. Or he could left a door unlocked.; we'll never know.

What we DO know is that Mr. Tamiyasu had a very messy personal life and it appears that was probably the primary reason that he was murdered. To me, looking into his personal life more closely will probably lead to his killer or killers.

Others may have had a key to Tamiyasu's house, but Dixon openly admitted he was the only other person besides Eric to have the security code to his alarm system. The only other theory that makes sense to me IMO is a jealous ex-boyfriend of Eric's date on the night he was murdered. But that has only come from a poster on here who sounds suspiciously like Dixon or his wife.

Others may have had a key to Tamiyasu's house, but Dixon openly admitted he was the only other person besides Eric to have the security code to his alarm system. The only other theory that makes sense to me IMO is a jealous ex-boyfriend of Eric's date on the night he was murdered. But that has only come from a poster on here who sounds suspiciously like Dixon or his wife.

The fact that Dixon openly admits to being the only person with a key and the alarm code is suspicious for two reasons. The first being that he just openly admitted to being able to get into Eric's house without any forced entry but the second reason is that if he is innocent, I'm not sure I would brag about being the only one with a key and the alarm code AND the person who found the body all the while blaming pretty much everyone else in town of the murder.

The fact that Dixon openly admits to being the only person with a key and the alarm code is suspicious for two reasons. The first being that he just openly admitted to being able to get into Eric's house without any forced entry but the second reason is that if he is innocent, I'm not sure I would brag about being the only one with a key and the alarm code AND the person who found the body all the while blaming pretty much everyone else in town of the murder.

Don Dixon believed that he was the only person w/ the alarm code probably because Mr. Tamiyasu told him he was. Since Dixon and Tamiyasu don't seem to have been particularly close, it would be odd for Mr. Tamiyasu to have given Dixon a key and the code.

You'd almost have to believe that Tamiyasu's family would also have keys and know his code. And there's the possibility that one or more lady "friends" of Mr Tamiyasu had a key or an alarm code. Or both.

Don Dixon strikes me as being an odd guy that was attracted by the attention that Mr. Tamiyasu's murder brought about. While he does act suspicious, I think that the thought of being on television and inflating his own sense of self-importance were his main motivations for involving himself in this mess more so than any actual guilt.

The fact that Dixon openly admits to being the only person with a key and the alarm code is suspicious for two reasons. The first being that he just openly admitted to being able to get into Eric's house without any forced entry but the second reason is that if he is innocent, I'm not sure I would brag about being the only one with a key and the alarm code AND the person who found the body all the while blaming pretty much everyone else in town of the murder.

I think Dixon openly admits this because one he's guilty somehow, and he's also egotistical. I think it's also his half-assed attempt to explain why he would have access to Eric's house by proclaiming how they were best friends. Instead of sticking to just saying, "Everyone is a suspect instead of me and my wife", he goes into a tirade detailing personal conflicts with other potential "suspects" in this case. That also suggests his guilt, IMO.

I think Dixon openly admits this because one he's guilty somehow, and he's also egotistical. I think it's also his half-assed attempt to explain why he would have access to Eric's house by proclaiming how they were best friends. Instead of sticking to just saying, "Everyone is a suspect instead of me and my wife", he goes into a tirade detailing personal conflicts with other potential "suspects" in this case. That also suggests his guilt, IMO.

I agree. He and Brett Favre must have the same sized ego for him to constantly put himself in the middle of everything.

I agree. He and Brett Favre must have the same sized ego for him to constantly put himself in the middle of everything.

I wonder if Dixon took the same type of pictures Favre took on his cell phone and sent them to Eric?

I wonder if Dixon took the same type of pictures Favre took on his cell phone and sent them to Eric?

LMAO!! That's effed up man.

I don't usually get on Dixon's side, but if I was a suspect I would never take a polygraph test. The police are NOT your friends. ever.

I don't usually get on Dixon's side, but if I was a suspect I would never take a polygraph test. The police are NOT your friends. ever.

Not necessarily your friends per se, but refusing to take a polygraph would most likely result in the police looking at you as an even likelier suspect. The fact that Dixon allegedly paid for one out of his own pocket seems suspicious as well. He obviously cooperating with the police by burning Eric's bed when Wampler asked him to, so why all of a sudden do a 180 and refuse to take their polygraph?