New Investigative Podcast on the Tara Calico Case

[RobinW]

You might know that for the past several years, a former classmate of Tara Calico's named Melinda Esquibel has been trying to make a documentary about her case, but it's never gotten off the ground. So it looks like they're going to do an investigative podcast instead and they currently have an 8-minute preview episode available...
https://www.taracalico.com/

Awhile back, you may seen me post this official police document which was leaked onto Reddit. It alleges that Tara's death was full-fledged murder and that one of the perpetrators was the son of Lawrence Romero, the Valencia County Sheriff at that time, necessitating a cover-up:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/270970248...ce-Tara-Calico

Melinda Esquibel and Tara's sister were recently interviewed on the podcast, Curiosity Kills, and I got the sense that they were just itching to talk about a lot of the stuff mentioned in that report. Lawrence Romero died last month and I have a feeling that it's no coincidence this podcast has just been announced now. The preview contains a brief snippet of an interview with a source with a digitized voice who mentions a full-scale cover-up. I'm really anxious to see what sort of revelations are going to be made and if it will finally break the case wide open.

[LooksLikeCRicci]

[dynoguy88]

The police report reveals all the names of the boys except one, referring to him, instead, as the tall red haired boy. Always wondered how he got a pass.

Thank you for posting this. I look forward to tuning in when it's alvailable.

[SertumAEnigmA]

Originally Posted by dynoguy88

The police report reveals all the names of the boys except one, referring to him, instead, as the tall red haired boy. Always wondered how he got a pass.

Thank you for posting this. I look forward to tuning in when it's alvailable.

I thought his name was Kenny Chavez, also known as Red. I'd have to read it again.

[comicbookwriter]

Wow, this is an amazing concept.

Glad to see the Calico case getting much needed attention.

[LakeForestPI]

I know the Calico family have been through hell and have waited a long time for answers. My heart goes out to the entire family. That being said, I'd be very leery of Mr Brown and his statement to the police. These kinds of cases have a track record of people coming out of the woodwork and making all sorts of allegations and self serving statements. I'd like to see a full review of Mr Browns entire background and any evidence that would supports what he is saying before I go all in with what he has alleged.

[TheCars1986]

Originally Posted by LakeForestPI

I know the Calico family have been through hell and have waited a long time for answers. My heart goes out to the entire family. That being said, I'd be very leery of Mr Brown and his statement to the police. These kinds of cases have a track record of people coming out of the woodwork and making all sorts of allegations and self serving statements. I'd like to see a full review of Mr Browns entire background and any evidence that would supports what he is saying before I go all in with what he has alleged.

Agreed.

While I do believe Tara was killed the same day she disappeared, I am a bit leery about the waiting of the death of Lawrence Romero before moving forward.

[Hambone2421]

Wow.

[dynoguy88]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

Agreed.

While I do believe Tara was killed the same day she disappeared, I am a bit leery about the waiting of the death of Lawrence Romero before moving forward.

The scenario/theory given is awfully close to the Tracy Kirkpatrick case; where the main suspect is the son of the sheriff, who the town believes covered up for his son. But that sheriff passed away a couple years ago and there has been NO change in the Kirkpatrick case.

In the Tara Calico case, I don't see where Romero's death can change anything either. Unless Tara's loved ones feel it's easier making accusations against him without fear of being sued? That's just a shot in the dark.

[RobinW]

Originally Posted by dynoguy88

In the Tara Calico case, I don't see where Romero's death can change anything either. Unless Tara's loved ones feel it's easier making accusations against him without fear of being sued? That's just a shot in the dark.

I seem to recall that when the documentary was in the works, the filmmakers were asking for donations to complete the project and claimed that some of the money would probably be set aside for potential legal fees which could arise. So they've obviously been paranoid for awhile about making allegations which could get them sued.

[TheCars1986]

Originally Posted by dynoguy88

In the Tara Calico case, I don't see where Romero's death can change anything either. Unless Tara's loved ones feel it's easier making accusations against him without fear of being sued? That's just a shot in the dark.

I think it's possible. It just reminds me of Tommy Zeigler's supporters pointing the finger at his brother-in-law mere weeks after the guy died. But this case seems to have much more validity to it. I'm just leery about podcasts in general after the Serial podcast (which I loved, but found out much later that it was unintentionally biased).

[RobinW]

So I actually attended a panel about the podcast at Crimecon this past weekend. I even spent some time chatting with the host, Melinda Esquibel, who is a childhood friend of Tara's. She had been trying to get a documentary about this case off the ground for years, but kept being told by executives there was way too much material. So she recently decided to start a podcast, so that she'd have the opportunity and freedom to tell the whole story.

The first episode will be released within the next few weeks. This is clearly a major passion project for Melinda, who shared some harrowing stories about having her life threatened over the years. We'll see if this finally causes the case to break wide open.

[DazzlerSparkler]

The famous bound and gagged Polaroid tho.....not her?

[RobinW]

Originally Posted by DazzlerSparkler

The famous bound and gagged Polaroid tho.....not her?

It seems very unlikely now, though surprisingly, at the panel discussion, Esquibel stated that she could not 100 % rule out the possibility it might be Tara in the Polaroid because the suspects in the case apparently had ties to Florida. However, I just don't see how the boy in the photo would fit into this story, so I'm pretty convinced the Polaroid is not connected to this case.

Melinda also stated that she has personally seen the two other alleged photos of Tara which have never been released publicly and is 100 % certain they are not her.

[TheCars1986]

Originally Posted by RobinW

Melinda also stated that she has personally seen the two other alleged photos of Tara which have never been released publicly and is 100 % certain they are not her.

Interesting. I wonder if the girl in the other photos is the same girl in the polaroid found in Florida.