I'm OK. I am married, although my husband is going out of town, so I'm a little freaked out about that.
I also have a really big dog. He's completely friendly, but he does look intimidating to those who don't know what a big goof he is.

The murdered woman lived alone, and didn't have a dog. But she did a home security system, which obviously did no good when it mattered.

before your husband needs to leave. It's always comforting to have a big dog. If nothing else knowing a growl and a bark is there to help will make you feel better.

If the police know anything, they are keeping really tight-lipped about it.
They knocked on our door a few nights ago to interview us, which makes me think they are still looking for a suspect.
We couldn't tell them anything, though.

Might learn more tonight.

I'll update the thread after the meeting......

Right now leaving work and running a few errands....

Very rural and isolated. A few years ago, there was a triple murder about two miles away.

I was terrified.

it turned out to be domestic/drug related, which sadly, most murders are.

So probably she was murdered by someone she knew.

But I sure understand your feelings. I was a basket case.

It sounds selfish of me, but I hope it was someone she knew.

I hate to think a random killer is in the neighborhood.

The boyfriend, who called it in, has apparently been cleared by the PD, and the girl's family also thinks he's innocent.

Poor guy.

Well, I really have to run.

I'll update after the meeting!!

I've never felt as at ease as I used to since that incident, so I sure know how you feel.

And I have a rifle, two large dogs, and a watch goose lol!

Just got back from the community meeting.
Here's the gist:

It is a forensic-driven case.
It appears to be an isolated incident, but the speaker refused to say whether it was random or not.
There was no sign of forced entry.
The boyfriend is cooperating fully, but they did NOT say he has been eliminated as a suspect.
The police are increasing their patrols in the area.
There was a nearby burglary at the same time that the murder was reported.
All the burglary suspects were apprehended and there is no connection to the murder case.

There was a lot of blah blah blah about "are my precious little darlings safe walking to school?" and such.
And one person was literally wearing a tin-foil hat!

In short, pretty much what I was expecting from a murder-related community meeting.

But, not entirely sure if I should feel relieved or still a bit on edge.
Obviously, with the huge police presence we've had here, a random killer probably would strike again so close.
And, if it was a personal crime, no reason for me to feel threatened.

But still.......

could come and keep you and your dog company for a couple of days. you can request extra police presence or patrols. call the police department and ask them how safe is your neighborhood at this time.
my best to you.

My husband doesn't leave until Sunday, so I'm still hoping there will be more news by then.

If not, I am really lucky in that my brother lives in the neighborhood as well, and I can stay with him if I feel the need.

I'll be sure to post more info to this thread as it becomes available.

That's sort of inappropriate of them....

Anyway, I think you should be relieved and that you can relax a bit. Scary stuff, though!!!

(My cell phone doesn't have a camera, but his does).

There might have been an element of crazy in that person. She was dressed in a manner that was borderline clown, and kept interrupting with strange questions (Was there a dog involved?).

I kept expecting the officer in charge of the meeting to say, "Lady, you need help. Please see me after the meeting, but please shut up for now."

I should hope every murder investigation uses forensic evidence. Or does that mean there's a lot of physical evidence that they're tracking down? As opposed to eyewitness testimony or circumstantial evidence.

Anyway, good luck to you! I hope the murderer is caught quickly.

All I can say is, the mobile command van was there from Wed night until some time on Sunday.

The entire block was roped off, and residents had to park their vehicles on the next block.
The alleyway was also closed off and guarded from both ends by police vehicles.

The explanation given was that it took so long and was so extensive because that's how state-of-the-art police work is done now.

(although i'm not entirely serious about that)

She's right in the front row (of course), and the only one wearing a hat.

not that eye witness testimony is particularly reliable, but the police may have found fingerprints, or maybe dna evidence like blood or hair samples, footprints, that sort of thing. Or it's a polite way of saying they don't have much as forensic evidence is really only good if you have something to match it to.

If the killer wore gloves and didn't bleed, forensic evidence might be hard to come by.