San Francisco Bay Child Abductions - Was Tim Binder involved? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

greatgarrett2 · 02-26-2007, 09:25 PM

Greetings,

Having watched this segment again yesterday, it got me thinking. It profiled numerous children going missing in the San Francisco Bay Area (Interstate 80 corridor). This one volunteer seemed to arouse suspicion in some people.....most notibly Kim Shultz, mother of Amber Shultz who went missing while jumping rope one day from her yard. I'm kind of split 50/50 on this one. A few days later, this 'Timothy' guy shows up at her door saying he wanted to help search for Amber. Then, just like that, his demeanor changed. He went from apparently very concerned to a stone-cold look on his face and said something to the effect, "Of course now you'll be searching for a dead body."

How did he know that she was (or would be) already dead? Amber's mother certainly seemed very wary and/or suspicious of him.....

Also, he would visit one girl's grave site upwards of around 90 times a year.....

What do you guys think?

Was he directly involved with the abductions OR is he just a victim of his own eccentricities?

wiseguy182 · 03-26-2007, 03:30 AM

I'm split 50/50 as well. On one hand, it is suspcious that the scent of two of the missing girls was traced to the grave of another girl who was abducted, who he visited 90 times a year. But, on the other hand, he doens't look anything like the person in the composite sketch of Michaela Garecht's abductor. Plus they really don't have anything really concrete on this guy.

There are some people who do things without really taking into consideration how others might react to it. It's possible Tim is one of those people.

Chris Billings · 03-26-2007, 01:14 PM

Hi:

I agree with both of you. Tim Binder is an interesting suspect but Im not convinced of his guilt either.

He certanily fits the profile of a serial killer (involvement in the investigiation and search for victims and visits to the grave) but on the other hand, as Wiseguy182 stated, he doesnt resemble the police sketch of Michaela Garechts abductor. I have the same question Wiseguy182, is it possible he is a "good guy" that sincerely cares, hence explaining his interest in the missing girls?

And do the Bay Area law enforcement people have incriminating info about Tim Binder they have not released to the public? I wonder. Whether he is the killer or not, the police should keep close tabs on him. I read some place that he sent a letter to a girl who lives in his neighborhood... thats just creepy.

Christopher

Tighthead · 03-26-2007, 04:05 PM

I just read Stalemate, and it was certainly interesting.

Bindner is no doubt guilty of being very weird. However, I lean toward not involved. The book had very little discussions of the evidence, incriminating or exculpatory.

There is some weight given to the fact that someone saw a man wrestling with a young girl near the Swartz home at the time of the disappearance. However, the man was in a Bonneville, whereas Bindner drove a van.

The Garecht abduction was much more "disorganized" than the others.

I would love to hear someone elses thoughts on the book.

Todd Mueller · 02-18-2008, 07:29 PM

Just watched this case...

Tim Bindner is CREEPY! Wow... I can't believe the behavior of that guy.

Just watching the story about Amber Swartz makes me think he is definitely guilty, yet there is no concrete evidence. But this guy needs some help from a qualified shrink. Visiting a dead girl's grave, whom he doesn't know, over 90 times in one year?!? Good Lord.

He may have done nothing but he does nothing to help his own case based on his behavior.

I was thinking about getting a copy of "Stalemate." Anyone here read it?

Thanks...

connieallbright · 02-18-2008, 09:30 PM

I read Stalemate too. Well, most of it.

Binder is certainly a complex and frightful person. I wonder if anyone has ever tried to check out the graves he visited so often. There was speculation that he might have buried bodies in other people's graves, right?

At the very least, Binder is guilty of making the families of the missing girls even more miserable.

Honestly, I think he's guilty of something.

kadrmas15 · 02-20-2008, 01:15 AM

Hmm, well I used to think Binder was guilty too. However, I have thought about this more and while the guy is guilty of being weird and creepy that doesnt necessarily make him guilty of being a child kidnapper, rapist and murderer. That sort of irritates me when people make this big leap that because the guy is weird and creepy that it automatically makes him guilty of murder.

The problem I have with Binder being responsible for these murders is, if he truly was responsible for all these murders, could he allude detection? The answer is, no. Yes the guy could be a psychopath and plant himself at the scenes.

But I just have a hard time believing that Binder if he was truly the rapist and murderer would camp out at the grave sites, participate in the searches, because it only makes him look more guilty and makes people pay more attention to him. But yes, Binder is a strange one, there is no doubt about that.

Todd Mueller · 02-20-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kadrmas15

Hmm, well I used to think Binder was guilty too. However, I have thought about this more and while the guy is guilty of being weird and creepy that doesnt necessarily make him guilty of being a child kidnapper, rapist and murderer. That sort of irritates me when people make this big leap that because the guy is weird and creepy that it automatically makes him guilty of murder.

I'm not sure if he's guilty or not, but his behavior is beyond bizarre. HE is the one who puts himself at the center of all of these cases. HE is the one who has an obsession with dead little girls graves. HE is the one who harrasses the mothers of the victims.

You are right, Kadrmas, that those things alone don't make him a murderer. However, it is not a "big leap" to think he may likely have done it. Basic police procedure tells you that if someone returns to the scene, the funeral, the grave, or has an abnormal interest in the crime, they are at the very least a person of interest.

We don't know if Bindner is guitly. But he has no one to blame but HIMSELF for why people think he is involved. And this happened in four different cases???

No physical evidence on him, but certainly it is not a "big leap" to think he may have done it.

kadrmas15 · 02-20-2008, 04:22 PM

TM, I didnt say it was a big leap for someone to think Binder may have done these abductions and murders. I said it was a big leap for someone to think that because he is a creepy guy that it automatically means he for sure did the murders. While you didnt say you thought he for sure did it other people have so I was merely presenting another point of view.

Todd Mueller · 02-20-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kadrmas15

TM, I didnt say it was a big leap for someone to think Binder may have done these abductions and murders. I said it was a big leap for someone to think that because he is a creepy guy that it automatically means he for sure did the murders. While you didnt say you thought he for sure did it other people have so I was merely presenting another point of view.

Fair enough. I misread what you said. Sorry to get that confused.

Yeah, I see what you mean now about assuming he may be involved or saying he automatically did it.

Sorry for the confusion!

colt45allstar · 02-22-2008, 03:55 AM

I've always suspected Mr. Binder.

Simply too bizarre acting for one.

pardilia · 02-22-2008, 10:07 AM

I don't think he was involved, but I don't think "Good Samaritan" is a fitting title either.

I'm not sure if he's capable of the crimes, but it really seems highly implausible to me that he could continue this odd behavior for so long in the same area and *not* be convicted of any of the crimes if he was guilty of any of them.

His actions to me just sound like someone who is slightly mentally impaired with a fixation on these sorts of crimes and empathy towards the victims. He has the time and the means to dedicate to his cause/interest, but unlike most people, either doesn't see the possible consquences of his actions or just ignores them. Maybe when he was young he lost a friend to a similar crime or was a victim himself of a similar crime?

It just seems highly unlikely to me at this point that he is guilty - mostly because it seems absolutely implauisble that if he were guilty of *something* related to these crimes, there would not be enough evidence to bring him to trial. He just gets his nose into everything way too often to not get caught at something by now.

Corky Kneivel · 02-22-2008, 02:45 PM

I just watched this segment for the first time today. I usually skip through the segments featuring harm coming to little kids (since becoming a dad I've become too squeamish to watch any true crime segments or shows featuring hurt children) but I made myself watch this one and the Darlie Routier segment.

I truly do not have an opinion one way orthe other on this one. He sure does some bizarre **** but it seemed like aside from the eyewitness placing Bindner at the scene of the child being tossed inside the car, the only person inferring any malevolent or sinister activity by Bindner was Amber Schwartz' mom. I cannot imagine her grief and need for justice but everytime she described Mr. Bindner's actions she made them seem as if the only explanation for anyone doing those things was nefarious and evil.

But what a weirdy-weirdo, a newly WEALTHY weirdy-weirdo, but a all-time grade "A" 100% weirdy-weirdo nonetheless. I mean, visiting a stranger's grave 80+ times in one year? Break that down everyone...it's damn near twice.a.week!! I don't even brush my teeth that often!

It sucks that since he settled out of court for 90K that now noone is going to go forward on this guy unless they have unquestionably irrefutable evidence. Wait...maybe that doesn't exactly "suck". I mean...that's the way the system should work I guess. If people can get thrown in the hoose-gow just for being oddballs then I'm placing a citizen's arrest on nowheregirl. Talk about your weirdy-weirdos!!

Todd Mueller · 02-22-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corky Kneivel

But what a weirdy-weirdo, a newly WEALTHY weirdy-weirdo, but a all-time grade "A" 100% weirdy-weirdo nonetheless. I mean, visiting a stranger's grave 80+ times in one year? Break that down everyone...it's damn near twice.a.week!!

BINGO! We have a winner. . .

Guilty or not, Mr. Bindner is in need of some serious help. I would be willing to bet the parents don't visit their children's graves that often.

I say again, his own behavior is causing him to be the focus of scrutiny. In any case, he needs psychiatric care. By any definition that is abnormal behavior and he needs to know why he is doing it so he can stop.

synthisislab · 05-10-2008, 07:43 PM

Wasn't this segment first shown in 2001-2002 on Lifetime? I'm looking at this other book in addition to Murderers Among Us called Reward, which is another compilation book of unsolved cases and they contain many cases featured on UM or AMW and were published around the heyday of these programs, 1991 and 1994 respectively. The Tim Bindner case was featured in Reward and his obsession with graves is majorly disturbing. Who interjects themselves in child abduction/murder cases like this? This is beyond suspicious. I bet some tough pressure and interrogation would have him talking.

View Poll Results: San Francisco Bay Child Abductions-Was Tim Binder involved?
involved with abductions	25	80.65%
just a good samaritian trying to help	6	19.35%
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll

02-26-2007, 09:25 PM	#1
greatgarrett2 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 11, 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 544	San Francisco Bay Child Abductions - Was Tim Binder involved? Greetings, Having watched this segment again yesterday, it got me thinking. It profiled numerous children going missing in the San Francisco Bay Area (Interstate 80 corridor). This one volunteer seemed to arouse suspicion in some people.....most notibly Kim Shultz, mother of Amber Shultz who went missing while jumping rope one day from her yard. I'm kind of split 50/50 on this one. A few days later, this 'Timothy' guy shows up at her door saying he wanted to help search for Amber. Then, just like that, his demeanor changed. He went from apparently very concerned to a stone-cold look on his face and said something to the effect, "Of course now you'll be searching for a dead body." How did he know that she was (or would be) already dead? Amber's mother certainly seemed very wary and/or suspicious of him..... Also, he would visit one girl's grave site upwards of around 90 times a year..... What do you guys think? Was he directly involved with the abductions OR is he just a victim of his own eccentricities?
	__________________ "To thyne own self, be true........." "If we don't know something, then our model of reality is inadequate" Start making money today: http://tasks4job.com/?refer=55797 http://www.amazon.com/Garrett-Campbe...8662355&sr=8-5 Plus, follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/greatgarrett2

03-26-2007, 03:30 AM	#2
wiseguy182 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 11, 2006 Location: Wendy's salad bar Posts: 7,030	I'm split 50/50 as well. On one hand, it is suspcious that the scent of two of the missing girls was traced to the grave of another girl who was abducted, who he visited 90 times a year. But, on the other hand, he doens't look anything like the person in the composite sketch of Michaela Garecht's abductor. Plus they really don't have anything really concrete on this guy. There are some people who do things without really taking into consideration how others might react to it. It's possible Tim is one of those people.

03-26-2007, 01:14 PM	#3
Chris Billings Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 21, 2004 Location: CA Posts: 192	Hi: I agree with both of you. Tim Binder is an interesting suspect but Im not convinced of his guilt either. He certanily fits the profile of a serial killer (involvement in the investigiation and search for victims and visits to the grave) but on the other hand, as Wiseguy182 stated, he doesnt resemble the police sketch of Michaela Garechts abductor. I have the same question Wiseguy182, is it possible he is a "good guy" that sincerely cares, hence explaining his interest in the missing girls? And do the Bay Area law enforcement people have incriminating info about Tim Binder they have not released to the public? I wonder. Whether he is the killer or not, the police should keep close tabs on him. I read some place that he sent a letter to a girl who lives in his neighborhood... thats just creepy. Christopher

03-26-2007, 04:05 PM	#4
Tighthead Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 15, 2006 Posts: 199	I just read Stalemate, and it was certainly interesting. Bindner is no doubt guilty of being very weird. However, I lean toward not involved. The book had very little discussions of the evidence, incriminating or exculpatory. There is some weight given to the fact that someone saw a man wrestling with a young girl near the Swartz home at the time of the disappearance. However, the man was in a Bonneville, whereas Bindner drove a van. The Garecht abduction was much more "disorganized" than the others. I would love to hear someone elses thoughts on the book.

02-18-2008, 07:29 PM	#5
Todd Mueller Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 11, 2005 Posts: 1,626	Just watched this case... Tim Bindner is CREEPY! Wow... I can't believe the behavior of that guy. Just watching the story about Amber Swartz makes me think he is definitely guilty, yet there is no concrete evidence. But this guy needs some help from a qualified shrink. Visiting a dead girl's grave, whom he doesn't know, over 90 times in one year?!? Good Lord. He may have done nothing but he does nothing to help his own case based on his behavior. I was thinking about getting a copy of "Stalemate." Anyone here read it? Thanks...

02-18-2008, 09:30 PM	#6
connieallbright Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 20, 2003 Posts: 115	I read Stalemate too. Well, most of it. Binder is certainly a complex and frightful person. I wonder if anyone has ever tried to check out the graves he visited so often. There was speculation that he might have buried bodies in other people's graves, right? At the very least, Binder is guilty of making the families of the missing girls even more miserable. Honestly, I think he's guilty of something.

02-20-2008, 01:15 AM	#7
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	Hmm, well I used to think Binder was guilty too. However, I have thought about this more and while the guy is guilty of being weird and creepy that doesnt necessarily make him guilty of being a child kidnapper, rapist and murderer. That sort of irritates me when people make this big leap that because the guy is weird and creepy that it automatically makes him guilty of murder. The problem I have with Binder being responsible for these murders is, if he truly was responsible for all these murders, could he allude detection? The answer is, no. Yes the guy could be a psychopath and plant himself at the scenes. But I just have a hard time believing that Binder if he was truly the rapist and murderer would camp out at the grave sites, participate in the searches, because it only makes him look more guilty and makes people pay more attention to him. But yes, Binder is a strange one, there is no doubt about that.

02-20-2008, 04:22 PM	#9
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	TM, I didnt say it was a big leap for someone to think Binder may have done these abductions and murders. I said it was a big leap for someone to think that because he is a creepy guy that it automatically means he for sure did the murders. While you didnt say you thought he for sure did it other people have so I was merely presenting another point of view.

02-22-2008, 03:55 AM	#11
colt45allstar Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 09, 2006 Posts: 69	I've always suspected Mr. Binder. Simply too bizarre acting for one.

02-22-2008, 10:07 AM	#12
pardilia Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 09, 2007 Posts: 170	I don't think he was involved, but I don't think "Good Samaritan" is a fitting title either. I'm not sure if he's capable of the crimes, but it really seems highly implausible to me that he could continue this odd behavior for so long in the same area and not be convicted of any of the crimes if he was guilty of any of them. His actions to me just sound like someone who is slightly mentally impaired with a fixation on these sorts of crimes and empathy towards the victims. He has the time and the means to dedicate to his cause/interest, but unlike most people, either doesn't see the possible consquences of his actions or just ignores them. Maybe when he was young he lost a friend to a similar crime or was a victim himself of a similar crime? It just seems highly unlikely to me at this point that he is guilty - mostly because it seems absolutely implauisble that if he were guilty of something related to these crimes, there would not be enough evidence to bring him to trial. He just gets his nose into everything way too often to not get caught at something by now.

02-22-2008, 02:45 PM	#13
Corky Kneivel Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: Sacratomato Posts: 570	I just watched this segment for the first time today. I usually skip through the segments featuring harm coming to little kids (since becoming a dad I've become too squeamish to watch any true crime segments or shows featuring hurt children) but I made myself watch this one and the Darlie Routier segment. I truly do not have an opinion one way orthe other on this one. He sure does some bizarre ** but it seemed like aside from the eyewitness placing Bindner at the scene of the child being tossed inside the car, the only person inferring any malevolent or sinister activity by Bindner was Amber Schwartz' mom. I cannot imagine her grief and need for justice but everytime she described Mr. Bindner's actions she made them seem as if the only explanation for anyone doing those things was nefarious and evil. But what a weirdy-weirdo, a newly WEALTHY weirdy-weirdo, but a all-time grade "A" 100% weirdy-weirdo nonetheless. I mean, visiting a stranger's grave 80+ times in one year? Break that down everyone...it's damn near twice.a.week!! I don't even brush my teeth that often! It sucks that since he settled out of court for 90K that now noone is going to go forward on this guy unless they have unquestionably irrefutable evidence. Wait...maybe that doesn't exactly "suck". I mean...that's the way the system should work I guess. If people can get thrown in the hoose-gow just for being oddballs then I'm placing a citizen's arrest on nowheregirl**. Talk about your weirdy-weirdos!!

05-10-2008, 07:43 PM	#15
synthisislab Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 552	Wasn't this segment first shown in 2001-2002 on Lifetime? I'm looking at this other book in addition to Murderers Among Us called Reward, which is another compilation book of unsolved cases and they contain many cases featured on UM or AMW and were published around the heyday of these programs, 1991 and 1994 respectively. The Tim Bindner case was featured in Reward and his obsession with graves is majorly disturbing. Who interjects themselves in child abduction/murder cases like this? This is beyond suspicious. I bet some tough pressure and interrogation would have him talking.