What do you guys think of the Steven Koecher case? - Page 3 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Caffeine · 07-12-2016, 07:43 PM

I thought about the idea of a suicide note and while I think there is a chance he may have done that...it seems unusual to draft a note and then drop your car off in a random area and then go on to find a place to die that would be difficult to find. Seems counterproductive, but then again I don't know the extent of the searches that well. But in the end I think of he wanted to be discovered it would have been done in a neat, orderly way to leave his last thoughts behind.

I still think the non-specific area where he parked speaks volumes about this. I think he either ignored common sense and followed instructions to park in that location, instead of an actual address OR he knew he'd be leaving the car there for some time due to this assignment and was assured that was a safe spot where he wouldn't be towed.

I posted a similar view on Websleuths and someone keeps saying that parking away from your final destination is normal, but I don't see it that way. When you get groceries, you park reasonable close to the front. At the mall, you park by the nearest door. It would make no sense to me that he had a specific address in mind, yet chose to park maybe a block away. There's something more to it than that.

SheRaaa · 07-17-2016, 07:26 PM

I totally agree that the location of Koecher's car is extremely interesting.

I think he ran into some shady people, maybe while out putting up flyers, maybe while stopped at a gas station, or something like that...and this person or people picked-up on the fact that Koecher may have been both slightly naive + financially desperate, and conned him into some sort of "job opportunity."

I'm thinking this person or people were like, "Hey dude, come meet us at ____, but don't park right there, park in this cul-de-sac b/c (insert fake reason here that a naive person might believe, like the homeowner's association is real strict or something like that), and then we'll take you and show you what you have to do."

LooksLikeCRicci · 07-18-2016, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caffeine

I thought about the idea of a suicide note and while I think there is a chance he may have done that...it seems unusual to draft a note and then drop your car off in a random area and then go on to find a place to die that would be difficult to find.

With the obvious exception of the note, that is pretty much what Gail Delano did when she ran away and committed suicide.

That being said-- I have genuinely no idea what happened to this man. I am as perplexed as the rest of you.

SheRaaa · 07-18-2016, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caffeine

With that said I think either:

1) He went there to drum up leads for the window business and met a shady character.

2) He went there to find a job and may have used a library computer to communicate, thus no evidence on his personal computer.

3) He went there to scope out a job that was offered to him by an acquaintance in Utah and something went horribly wrong. That would also explain the lack of communication they found.

Perhaps whatever directions or correspondence about the meeting was printed out and in the folder he carried as he left his car.

Yet another option is that there IS a digital trail, the police just didn't look hard enough for it. I've followed this case for a while and I do not get the sense that police have taken Koecher's disappearance seriously...maybe it's because he's a guy, maybe because they think he may have been suicidal, I don't know, I just don't get the sense of "urgency" on this case. I think it's quite possible the authorities may have done just a cursory review of Koecher's activities on a single browser and came to a hasty conclusion.

Caffeine · 08-16-2016, 09:54 AM

I'd definitely agree that things need to be looked at again, like the laptop. A cursory search originally showed nothing. A second or third opinion at this point wouldn't hurt. It seems weird there is nothing in terms of web searches or emails on it.

Authorities should re-interview friends, family, associates again as well. Going back to Sun City Anthem might be worth a shot, but its been about 7 years now. Who knows how many residents have come and gone.

I don't know the angle in which police are taking with this. There's been almost no news in over a year that I've seen.

Sadly, in some instances, police defer to the scenario which burdens them and the public the least. If I had to guess, they likely assume Steven was depressed due to his finances and harmed himself. That would lead to less public alarm and less time they'd have to invest in a case with no leads. I'm sure they are as stumped as we are with this.

Caffeine · 10-01-2016, 01:27 PM

I decided to look back the cell phone ping details as I never really knew what to make of it. If you're interested search "Steven Koecher phone pings" - someone made a map with call details for his last few days.

Initially I looked more at where he was and trying to figure out why he seemingly went northeast from where he dropped the car off. But I never paid much attention to who was calling or texting...

Keep in mind Steven was last seen on the house security camera around 12pm on Sunday 12/13/2009. He left his car in that community, walked past the camera and obviously never went back for his car.

At around 4 pm that day there was a call or text to or from his landlord. From what I understand, him and Steven addressed the issue of his back rent and had an understanding about it. Perhaps the call was in regards to that issue but the next morning there is another ping to indicate a call/text to or from the landlord...

At 6:04 am.

Is it just me or is that a bizarre time to be communicating? Why would Steven call or text that early? Why would a landlord bother a tenant at that hour?

I'd be willing to accept that maybe there was one call from either one of them to once again go over the rent issue, but then the next day again at 6 am? That is strange to me. I'm starting to think whatever sketchy job offer was in Nevada...Steven went as a result of being told face to face by another person and obviously the landlord had a pretty vested interest in collecting his money.

Awsi Dooger · 10-02-2016, 03:40 PM

I haven't looked into this case but a few observations after reading earlier pages of this thread:

* Excalibur makes sense if you are heading south on I-15 from St. George/Mesquite late at night with Henderson as destination. The freeway wouldn't be especially crowded approaching Las Vegas from the north but especially on a Saturday night it would get quite sticky once you reached the downtown and Stratosphere areas. It is very common to wade through the heaviest areas and then exit for a convenient casino on the south end of the Strip, like at Tropicana Avenue where the Excalibur is located. If that Craigslist listing is legit it could have actually been wee hours on the 13th, even though the person wrote 12th. Anyone in Las Vegas thinks of it that way, as an extension of the previous day.

* Then it's a quick dart to Henderson by reentering I-15 briefly before turning north on I-215

* It should be mentioned that Henderson is technically 15 or 20 minutes from Las Vegas but they really are joined communities. There's no gap in homes or development at all. Even locals are hard pressed to define where Las Vegas supposedly ends and Henderson begins. When I moved to Las Vegas in 1984 there was a distinct separation. But when Clark County experienced a population explosion that included new freeways and developments of all type, the areas more or less joined. The I-215 and I-515 freeways easily connect the two areas so countless people technically live in Henderson but work in Las Vegas. I'm sure the reverse is true, to lesser degree. There are huge casinos in Henderson, like Sunset Station.

* Scam artists are known to use Henderson as a base of activity since gullible outsiders don't have a negative/suspicious impression of Henderson as opposed to Las Vegas, and many of them won't realize the areas are essentially one in the same

* It's not uncommon to sleep in your car in Las Vegas, particularly for tourists on a Friday or Saturday night. Rooms are far less available and room rates are jacked up. This goes on all year. The Sunday night rate can literally be 25% or less of the Friday/Saturday rate. Before deciding to move to Las Vegas from Los Angeles in spring 1984 I spent several weekends in prior months and did not get a room. I was not going to pay the outrageous rates for one night, especially when that night would mean only a few hours since I'd still be in a casino until 3 or 4 AM minimum. I looked for parking garages that looked safe enough and quiet enough, and slept a few hours in my car. One time at Barbary Coast I awoke still in a fog and mistakenly put the car in drive instead of reverse. Next thing I know my car lurches forward and the front tires go over the cement barrier. I was stuck and had to call a tow truck to free the car. It cost $40 plus I tipped the guy 10 bucks. I told him my remedy would be to wager an extra $55 on my favorite game that day, and win back the 50 bucks. That's exactly what happened.

Awsi Dooger · 10-02-2016, 03:43 PM

I forgot to mention that the I-15 south route from Utah to Las Vegas is exactly the path Richard Floyd McCoy would have taken in the wee hours preceding the D.B. Cooper caper. In fact, he very likely could have exited at Tropicana Avenue since McCarron Airport is right there.

Caffeine · 10-04-2016, 03:10 PM

It's good to hear a local perspective on this case.

Obviously living half way across the country, I don't truly know just how seedy the area can be, but it's reasonable to think that area might harbor a few con men and illegal activities.

Drugs will forever be a commodity there, so that's always one thing to consider but what about sports betting? Gambling is another huge industry there, so perhaps that was the crux of his travel there. Maybe someone wanted him to collect gambling debts but Steven was never truly informed of why he was collecting money. Maybe someone wasn't ready to hand over their debt?

BlueGalexy · 07-25-2017, 03:39 PM

I've always been incredibly perplexed by the Koecher case, and for a long time I leaned toward the possibility that he was sadly the victim of a wrong time/wrong place type thing. In fact, like wiseguy earlier in the thread, I too noticed the SUV in the surveillance clip, and wondered if it was connected somehow. However, as another poster pointed out, that situation appears to have been discounted by LE.

My question is this: how do we know that it is indeed Koecher in the video footage? Is it possible that the person in the surveillance footage is really someone else entirely, and therefore unrelated to the case? It's been awhile since I've seen the Disappeared episode on this case, so hopefully my fellow posters can refresh my memory.

Caffeine · 07-25-2017, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueGalexy

I've always been incredibly perplexed by the Koecher case, and for a long time I leaned toward the possibility that he was sadly the victim of a wrong time/wrong place type thing. In fact, like wiseguy earlier in the thread, I too noticed the SUV in the surveillance clip, and wondered if it was connected somehow. However, as another poster pointed out, that situation appears to have been discounted by LE.

My question is this: how do we know that it is indeed Koecher in the video footage? Is it possible that the person in the surveillance footage is really someone else entirely, and therefore unrelated to the case? It's been awhile since I've seen the Disappeared episode on this case, so hopefully my fellow posters can refresh my memory.

From what I recall the white SUV driver was a realtor who was either dropping off or picking up her mother that lived at the house where the camera was pointed. I'm fairly certain it was said Police looked into the vehicle and cleared them and I also believe Steven's family commented on it (maybe Websleuths?) and seemed satisfied they were not involved.

Personally, I doubt there's any connection but I won't say it's impossible.

At this point, I think Steven either:

1) Was given a job opportunity in NV, either found online or by someone he knew personally (which would explain the lack of clues leading him there; he used library WiFi or details of the job could have been simply given in person).

2) He was already working a job and went to Henderson as part of the assignment. Whatever he was doing may have required a lot of travel and that was just another stop for the job, but something obviously went wrong there.

It's hard to decipher the cell phone activity that was much further north of the neighborhood he left the car in. I think Steven ultimately left the community (probably not voluntarily) in another car and met his demise elsewhere. Honestly, there may not even have been a specific house in mind, he may have had a car waiting for him to be picked up.

It's quite a frustrating case and it's one I really want to see closure with, but I'm guessing police have exhausted all leads at this point and there's no clear direction for the investigation to go now.

Anamnesis · 09-29-2017, 08:05 AM

Before Steven's disappearance, his landlord had been arrested for a stolen vehicle, which they found guns and expired pharmaceuticals inside. I'm fairly confident that Steven was peddling drugs for his landlord. There was a ping to Steven's mobile from the landlord at 6.40am, which is a strange time to call/text about the rent, and he had also spoken to him the day before.

Steven was out of his depth, the deal went sour and unfortunately he was met with foul play.

07-12-2016, 07:43 PM	#31
Caffeine Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 15, 2014 Posts: 64	I thought about the idea of a suicide note and while I think there is a chance he may have done that...it seems unusual to draft a note and then drop your car off in a random area and then go on to find a place to die that would be difficult to find. Seems counterproductive, but then again I don't know the extent of the searches that well. But in the end I think of he wanted to be discovered it would have been done in a neat, orderly way to leave his last thoughts behind. I still think the non-specific area where he parked speaks volumes about this. I think he either ignored common sense and followed instructions to park in that location, instead of an actual address OR he knew he'd be leaving the car there for some time due to this assignment and was assured that was a safe spot where he wouldn't be towed. I posted a similar view on Websleuths and someone keeps saying that parking away from your final destination is normal, but I don't see it that way. When you get groceries, you park reasonable close to the front. At the mall, you park by the nearest door. It would make no sense to me that he had a specific address in mind, yet chose to park maybe a block away. There's something more to it than that.

07-17-2016, 07:26 PM	#32
SheRaaa Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 421	I totally agree that the location of Koecher's car is extremely interesting. I think he ran into some shady people, maybe while out putting up flyers, maybe while stopped at a gas station, or something like that...and this person or people picked-up on the fact that Koecher may have been both slightly naive + financially desperate, and conned him into some sort of "job opportunity." I'm thinking this person or people were like, "Hey dude, come meet us at ____, but don't park right there, park in this cul-de-sac b/c (insert fake reason here that a naive person might believe, like the homeowner's association is real strict or something like that), and then we'll take you and show you what you have to do."

08-16-2016, 09:54 AM	#35
Caffeine Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 15, 2014 Posts: 64	I'd definitely agree that things need to be looked at again, like the laptop. A cursory search originally showed nothing. A second or third opinion at this point wouldn't hurt. It seems weird there is nothing in terms of web searches or emails on it. Authorities should re-interview friends, family, associates again as well. Going back to Sun City Anthem might be worth a shot, but its been about 7 years now. Who knows how many residents have come and gone. I don't know the angle in which police are taking with this. There's been almost no news in over a year that I've seen. Sadly, in some instances, police defer to the scenario which burdens them and the public the least. If I had to guess, they likely assume Steven was depressed due to his finances and harmed himself. That would lead to less public alarm and less time they'd have to invest in a case with no leads. I'm sure they are as stumped as we are with this.

10-01-2016, 01:27 PM	#36
Caffeine Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 15, 2014 Posts: 64	I decided to look back the cell phone ping details as I never really knew what to make of it. If you're interested search "Steven Koecher phone pings" - someone made a map with call details for his last few days. Initially I looked more at where he was and trying to figure out why he seemingly went northeast from where he dropped the car off. But I never paid much attention to who was calling or texting... Keep in mind Steven was last seen on the house security camera around 12pm on Sunday 12/13/2009. He left his car in that community, walked past the camera and obviously never went back for his car. At around 4 pm that day there was a call or text to or from his landlord. From what I understand, him and Steven addressed the issue of his back rent and had an understanding about it. Perhaps the call was in regards to that issue but the next morning there is another ping to indicate a call/text to or from the landlord... At 6:04 am. Is it just me or is that a bizarre time to be communicating? Why would Steven call or text that early? Why would a landlord bother a tenant at that hour? I'd be willing to accept that maybe there was one call from either one of them to once again go over the rent issue, but then the next day again at 6 am? That is strange to me. I'm starting to think whatever sketchy job offer was in Nevada...Steven went as a result of being told face to face by another person and obviously the landlord had a pretty vested interest in collecting his money.

10-02-2016, 03:40 PM	#37
Awsi Dooger Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 1,537	I haven't looked into this case but a few observations after reading earlier pages of this thread: * Excalibur makes sense if you are heading south on I-15 from St. George/Mesquite late at night with Henderson as destination. The freeway wouldn't be especially crowded approaching Las Vegas from the north but especially on a Saturday night it would get quite sticky once you reached the downtown and Stratosphere areas. It is very common to wade through the heaviest areas and then exit for a convenient casino on the south end of the Strip, like at Tropicana Avenue where the Excalibur is located. If that Craigslist listing is legit it could have actually been wee hours on the 13th, even though the person wrote 12th. Anyone in Las Vegas thinks of it that way, as an extension of the previous day. * Then it's a quick dart to Henderson by reentering I-15 briefly before turning north on I-215 * It should be mentioned that Henderson is technically 15 or 20 minutes from Las Vegas but they really are joined communities. There's no gap in homes or development at all. Even locals are hard pressed to define where Las Vegas supposedly ends and Henderson begins. When I moved to Las Vegas in 1984 there was a distinct separation. But when Clark County experienced a population explosion that included new freeways and developments of all type, the areas more or less joined. The I-215 and I-515 freeways easily connect the two areas so countless people technically live in Henderson but work in Las Vegas. I'm sure the reverse is true, to lesser degree. There are huge casinos in Henderson, like Sunset Station. * Scam artists are known to use Henderson as a base of activity since gullible outsiders don't have a negative/suspicious impression of Henderson as opposed to Las Vegas, and many of them won't realize the areas are essentially one in the same * It's not uncommon to sleep in your car in Las Vegas, particularly for tourists on a Friday or Saturday night. Rooms are far less available and room rates are jacked up. This goes on all year. The Sunday night rate can literally be 25% or less of the Friday/Saturday rate. Before deciding to move to Las Vegas from Los Angeles in spring 1984 I spent several weekends in prior months and did not get a room. I was not going to pay the outrageous rates for one night, especially when that night would mean only a few hours since I'd still be in a casino until 3 or 4 AM minimum. I looked for parking garages that looked safe enough and quiet enough, and slept a few hours in my car. One time at Barbary Coast I awoke still in a fog and mistakenly put the car in drive instead of reverse. Next thing I know my car lurches forward and the front tires go over the cement barrier. I was stuck and had to call a tow truck to free the car. It cost $40 plus I tipped the guy 10 bucks. I told him my remedy would be to wager an extra $55 on my favorite game that day, and win back the 50 bucks. That's exactly what happened.

10-02-2016, 03:43 PM	#38
Awsi Dooger Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2003 Location: Miami Posts: 1,537	I forgot to mention that the I-15 south route from Utah to Las Vegas is exactly the path Richard Floyd McCoy would have taken in the wee hours preceding the D.B. Cooper caper. In fact, he very likely could have exited at Tropicana Avenue since McCarron Airport is right there.

10-04-2016, 03:10 PM	#39
Caffeine Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 15, 2014 Posts: 64	It's good to hear a local perspective on this case. Obviously living half way across the country, I don't truly know just how seedy the area can be, but it's reasonable to think that area might harbor a few con men and illegal activities. Drugs will forever be a commodity there, so that's always one thing to consider but what about sports betting? Gambling is another huge industry there, so perhaps that was the crux of his travel there. Maybe someone wanted him to collect gambling debts but Steven was never truly informed of why he was collecting money. Maybe someone wasn't ready to hand over their debt?

07-25-2017, 03:39 PM	#40
BlueGalexy Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 03, 2014 Posts: 322	I've always been incredibly perplexed by the Koecher case, and for a long time I leaned toward the possibility that he was sadly the victim of a wrong time/wrong place type thing. In fact, like wiseguy earlier in the thread, I too noticed the SUV in the surveillance clip, and wondered if it was connected somehow. However, as another poster pointed out, that situation appears to have been discounted by LE. My question is this: how do we know that it is indeed Koecher in the video footage? Is it possible that the person in the surveillance footage is really someone else entirely, and therefore unrelated to the case? It's been awhile since I've seen the Disappeared episode on this case, so hopefully my fellow posters can refresh my memory.

09-29-2017, 08:05 AM	#42
Anamnesis Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 11, 2017 Posts: 15	Before Steven's disappearance, his landlord had been arrested for a stolen vehicle, which they found guns and expired pharmaceuticals inside. I'm fairly confident that Steven was peddling drugs for his landlord. There was a ping to Steven's mobile from the landlord at 6.40am, which is a strange time to call/text about the rent, and he had also spoken to him the day before. Steven was out of his depth, the deal went sour and unfortunately he was met with foul play.