Angela Hammond Case Update

[88keys]

From the Clinton, Missouri Police Dept. Facebook Page:

NEW PUBLIC DETAILS ON 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANGELA HAMMOND ABDUCTION
April 4 marks the 30th anniversary of the disappearance of Angela Hammond. Known as “Angie” to her family and friends, she was a recent graduate of Clinton High School and was well known and popular in the small community of Clinton, MO. Angie was abducted from a pay telephone booth at the corner of Second and Jefferson Streets. There has been no sign of her since.
On this anniversary, we reiterate that Angela Hammond’s family is still in our prayers. We refuse to classify this case as “cold” because we continue to search for investigative leads daily. A day barely escapes us without work or discussion on the case being held.
Early in the investigation, a description of a suspect vehicle was developed based on the recollections of the person Angie was talking with on the phone at the time of being abducted. That was a 1970’s model Ford pickup truck with a fishing scene in the rear glass. Much of the early parts of the investigation centered around that vehicle description. Hundreds of leads involving vehicles matching that description were followed up on, but never produced any significant evidence.
As the investigation progressed over the years, investigators decided to expand investigative possibilities that did not necessarily include the specific vehicle description. This opened new theories and produced legs of the investigation that had yet to be thoroughly explored. As each of these leads were investigated, many were satisfactorily eliminated for one reason or another. A lead is never dismissed in whole or in part until there is enough contrary evidence. There are still several active and open leads being considered.
One of those leads originates from the Lake of the Ozarks region. A confidential informant played a crucial role in disrupting a significant illegal narcotics operation by testifying in a court proceeding. When the informant’s identity was disclosed during the case, he received a cryptic letter composed of cut and paste characters in the style of a ransom letter one might see in a movie about a kidnapping. The letter addresses the informant by the number that had been assigned to him to protect his identity before the court proceeding. It also mentions the informant’s estranged wife by first name. The letter was postmarked April 4, 1991, the exact date that Angela Hammond was abducted late that evening. The informant’s wife and his daughter- also named Angela- were living in Clinton, MO at that time.
After speaking with several people of interest and potential witnesses, the theory developed by investigators is that, in retribution for the informant providing information that led to the prosecution and disruption of this criminal enterprise, a person or persons involved in the criminal enterprise planned and executed the kidnapping of the informant’s daughter. Some mistake was made as to the identity of the targeted “Angie”, who had some physical resemblance to Angela Hammond, resulting in Hammond’s abduction.
While the theory seems incredible, investigators have come across information that lends credibility to it and have so far been unable to refute it. This information is being publicly provided, in part, now with a plea. If you have heard a story like this one, or you have any information that could be related to this leg of the investigation, please get in contact with Clinton Police Investigators. A photo of a copy of the letter has been added to this post with the wife’s name and the confidential informant number redacted to protect the privacy of that family.
Very recently, a person left an anonymous telephone message for us regarding the Angela Hammond case. That person specifically mentioned two names. You did not provide a means for us to recontact you. If that person is reading this message, please re-contact us so that we can speak with you in real time. We will protect your identity or assure your anonymity.

[SageSlowdive]

Ugh, I'd love to believe there is a glimmer of hope in finding out what happened. That story sounds bizarre. I've been to Clinton and it is EXTREMELY small and this sounds like high level mob behavior.

[TheCars1986]

So....Rob still didn't do it.

[88keys]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

So....Rob still didn't do it.

Even this won't convince some people.

[freakbook]

Originally Posted by SageSlowdive

Ugh, I'd love to believe there is a glimmer of hope in finding out what happened. That story sounds bizarre. I've been to Clinton and it is EXTREMELY small and this sounds like high level mob behavior.

^^^^

The odds that they went to Clinton and abducted a pregnant teenager talking to her boyfriend on the pay phone at night as they mistake her for someone else is extremely slim. According to Rob it was nighttime when they were talking on the phone, and she was at a phone booth near a store. How did they know where to find her and if she looked identical if it was dark outside?

Rob did it

[Todd Mueller]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

So....Rob still didn't do it.

Wait... This happened near the Ozarks? Maybe Rob asked Marty Byrde do to him a favor and off Angela so he could help Marty launder money.

(That is probably about as likely as Rob doing it, so yeah...)

[TheCars1986]

Originally Posted by SageSlowdive

Ugh, I'd love to believe there is a glimmer of hope in finding out what happened. That story sounds bizarre. I've been to Clinton and it is EXTREMELY small and this sounds like high level mob behavior.

Not really. Just think about what happened to Wendy Camp, Cynthia Britto, and Lis Kreager.

[James T]

Originally Posted by 88keys

Even this won't convince some people.

Even what? They state themselves this is a theory, this isn't proof of what did or didn't happen. It is hard to work out quite what they are saying-one would think there would have to have been a corrupt individual in the justice system they could track down if his informant number was quoted. Why has it taken 30 years to connect the two events or make that link public? We need some more details on all of this. The phone call could easily be a hoax from somebody with a grudge against somebody, or who wants to torment the family/waste police time after seeing publicity/appeals as we neared the 30th anniversary. Interesting for sure, but there is a hell of a lot of work to be done before this is solved, regardless of whether some people think Rob did it or not.

[pardilia]

Originally Posted by SageSlowdive

Ugh, I'd love to believe there is a glimmer of hope in finding out what happened. That story sounds bizarre. I've been to Clinton and it is EXTREMELY small and this sounds like high level mob behavior.

That kinda makes sense though for it being a good place to stash an informant.

If she called saying "This is Angela, can I speak to Rob?" and it's dark and she's about the same age and looks similar to the other Angela...seems legit to me.

It wasn't even known she was pregnant until YEARS after it happened - and most women don't look visibly pregnant until 5/6 months.

[XCalibur]

Originally Posted by 88keys

From the Clinton, Missouri Police Dept. Facebook Page:

NEW PUBLIC DETAILS ON 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANGELA HAMMOND ABDUCTION
April 4 marks the 30th anniversary of the disappearance of Angela Hammond. Known as “Angie” to her family and friends, she was a recent graduate of Clinton High School and was well known and popular in the small community of Clinton, MO. Angie was abducted from a pay telephone booth at the corner of Second and Jefferson Streets. There has been no sign of her since.
On this anniversary, we reiterate that Angela Hammond’s family is still in our prayers. We refuse to classify this case as “cold” because we continue to search for investigative leads daily. A day barely escapes us without work or discussion on the case being held.
Early in the investigation, a description of a suspect vehicle was developed based on the recollections of the person Angie was talking with on the phone at the time of being abducted. That was a 1970’s model Ford pickup truck with a fishing scene in the rear glass. Much of the early parts of the investigation centered around that vehicle description. Hundreds of leads involving vehicles matching that description were followed up on, but never produced any significant evidence.
As the investigation progressed over the years, investigators decided to expand investigative possibilities that did not necessarily include the specific vehicle description. This opened new theories and produced legs of the investigation that had yet to be thoroughly explored. As each of these leads were investigated, many were satisfactorily eliminated for one reason or another. A lead is never dismissed in whole or in part until there is enough contrary evidence. There are still several active and open leads being considered.
One of those leads originates from the Lake of the Ozarks region. A confidential informant played a crucial role in disrupting a significant illegal narcotics operation by testifying in a court proceeding. When the informant’s identity was disclosed during the case, he received a cryptic letter composed of cut and paste characters in the style of a ransom letter one might see in a movie about a kidnapping. The letter addresses the informant by the number that had been assigned to him to protect his identity before the court proceeding. It also mentions the informant’s estranged wife by first name. The letter was postmarked April 4, 1991, the exact date that Angela Hammond was abducted late that evening. The informant’s wife and his daughter- also named Angela- were living in Clinton, MO at that time.
After speaking with several people of interest and potential witnesses, the theory developed by investigators is that, in retribution for the informant providing information that led to the prosecution and disruption of this criminal enterprise, a person or persons involved in the criminal enterprise planned and executed the kidnapping of the informant’s daughter. Some mistake was made as to the identity of the targeted “Angie”, who had some physical resemblance to Angela Hammond, resulting in Hammond’s abduction.
While the theory seems incredible, investigators have come across information that lends credibility to it and have so far been unable to refute it. This information is being publicly provided, in part, now with a plea. If you have heard a story like this one, or you have any information that could be related to this leg of the investigation, please get in contact with Clinton Police Investigators. A photo of a copy of the letter has been added to this post with the wife’s name and the confidential informant number redacted to protect the privacy of that family.
Very recently, a person left an anonymous telephone message for us regarding the Angela Hammond case. That person specifically mentioned two names. You did not provide a means for us to recontact you. If that person is reading this message, please re-contact us so that we can speak with you in real time. We will protect your identity or assure your anonymity.

Meh...... This seems pretty far fetched. Anything is possible I suppose, but I think this is a prime example of a case that's been on the books so long and there is so much desperation to solve it that people start coming up with wild theories.

I still think this was the work of a plain sex offender who saw a sick opportunity and was just either smart or lucky enough to get away with it. From his supposedly unkept appearance he probably was a drifter who lived off the grid and survived by doing odd jobs, possibly on farms or ranches for under the table pay. Someone like that who leaves no paper trail would be hard to find, especially with so little physical evidence left behind.

Of course that's sheer speculation on my part. Hell Angie's abductor could be a big shot lawyer too. We won't know unless its solved, and at this point I'd have to say its unlikely.

[freakbook]

I bet my left nut that Rob did it and this "breaking news" is hogwash

[James T]

Originally Posted by freakbook

I bet my left nut that Rob did it and this "breaking news" is hogwash

While I don't rule him out totally I think the chances are like the woman at the car wash & many others on the show she was just an easy target for a predator-being a lone female on her own out late at night, at a remote location.

I certainly think the letter needs to be checked out & cannot understand why it hasn't been, or if it was why they haven't got to the bottom of who leaked his identity, but the phone call we have seen so many of them over the years & chances are it is just some crank with a grudge, or a time-waster/troll has seen publicity about the 30th anniversary with appeals being made & decided to torment the family &/or waste police time & resources.

[Zero]

It may have been a serial killer that happened to be in the area. Someone who's already in jail for another murder. Maybe already dead.

[TheCars1986]

Okay, so I do not believe this new theory. Like at all. We are to believe that this person knew the informant's estranged wife by first name, as well as what ID number was assigned to the informant, but doesn't know the type of vehicle his daughter drives or what she looks like? That is the parking lot where she was abducted shortly before midnight. This was a crime of opportunity. If someone was there to abduct her as retaliation of some sort, they wouldn't have done it while she was on the phone.

[freakbook]

Originally Posted by James T

While I don't rule him out totally I think the chances are like the woman at the car wash & many others on the show she was just an easy target for a predator-being a lone female on her own out late at night, at a remote location.

Yeah possibly

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

That is the parking lot where she was abducted shortly before midnight. This was a crime of opportunity. If someone was there to abduct her as retaliation of some sort, they wouldn't have done it while she was on the phone.

Agreed. Way too sloppy