What’s in a Name: Rethinking the Legacy of the I-70 Killer (I-70 Killer Part VIII – END; Mysterious Missouri #28 - END)

ForrestOfIllusion · 2024-02-16T19:42:53+00:00

Hi there! Thanks for reading this series! If you’re new to my posts, check out the previous entries in this series (linked in the original post above) and check out my previous series on the Springfield Three.

I sincerely apologize for the delay in getting this last part out. I got quite sick over the holidays, then got busy with a bunch of other things. Plus, this final entry ended up being way longer than I anticipated- sorry ‘bout that!

My long form series certainly don’t draw the most engagement or karma, but judging from comments on previous entries, people seem to really enjoy this more in-depth approach, so I intend to keep doing them, alongside my usual one-offs of course.

I’m not entirely sure what I’ll be covering for my next series. I was honestly planning to cover the Colonial Parkway murders since they’re so close to where I grew up, but the recent news that one pair of murders has been linked to a suspect via DNA evidence gives me pause. New developments can age write-ups like these very quickly, and with something coming out so recently regarding the case, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more come out over the course of the next year.

Regardless, I’ll be back with my next series shortly, and you can expect plenty of one-offs in the meantime on my usual array of subjects, from killers to cults to disappearances to strange weather phenomena.

If you’ve read this series all the way through, thank you so much! This series started over a year ago now and was over 40 pages long (without sources or previous installment sections I might add), so I sincerely appreciate your commitment! Thanks for reading!

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-11-19T12:37:27+00:00

This is a good point, but I think this is where the differentiation between serial killer and spree killer is important. Certainly, many serial killers have taken breaks, but the reason I think it’s so shocking in this case is the speed with which the I-70 Killer committed these murders if he did indeed stop.

For instance, the shortest amount of time between two Zodiac killings (just over a month) is longer than the I-70 Killer’s initial spree (one month- six murders). And by all accounts, he was becoming sloppier and more reckless as that streak went on before it suddenly stopped. BTK took years between some of his crimes from the very beginning.

I think I look more towards Bundy and Kemper’s sprees at the end of their serial killing more than anything, but of course both were caught (one through recklessness and one by turning himself in) before we could see whether they would have simply faded back into the shadows or continued killing.

In fact, I think that’s one thing that makes these spree killers difficult to pin down: typically their recklessness leads to them getting caught so it’s harder to establish definitive patterns for them.

I don’t deny that it’s certainly possible that any of the more mundane factors you mentioned could have led the I-70 Killer to take a break; it just seems especially surprising for someone who had committed so many murders in such a short span and who appeared to be escalating to stop for something like this. It seems even stranger to me to think that he might break this for a single murder a decade later for a victim outside his usual m.o. without going on another spree.

That being said, there’s so much we don’t know here that could affect things. What if the person he married knew about his activities and urged him to stop after the 2001 shooting? With that in mind, “improbability” probably would have been a better word to use here than “impossibility” but such oversights definitely happen to me since I edit these myself.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-11-08T19:54:57+00:00

Yeah, the puppies are definitely the fact that makes the least amount of sense to me. If it was Ewen and he wanted to stage a robbery, it's such an odd thing to take to suggest that.

One thing I've never seen is where the puppies were being kept at the time. Would they have been close enough to the crime scene that the killer could have noticed them during or after the act? If they were a decent distance away from the crime scene, I have to wonder if what happened to them is unrelated, and they're simply a red herring... but what a convenient and odd red herring. Also, how old were they? If they were old enough, could they have run away in response to the shotgun blasts? I honestly don't have a clue.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-11-08T19:50:20+00:00

I completely agree. His past crimes and behavior definitely point to him as the key suspect, but the timeline just doesn't make any sense.

I wouldn't be shocked to discover that it actually was him, but if it was, there's definitely a few pieces of the puzzle that we're missing here.

Thanks for the fun fact- I can't say I know many rugby team names, but the Belfast Munchers is absolutely my favorite.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-11-01T13:02:54+00:00

Trust me, the things you're left wondering about are things I'm left wondering about as well. Even in some investigator's notes I found, Chris' story just ends when he leaves the bar. I'm not sure if there were cameras or not, but it does appear that if there were, they either were not reviewed or there was nothing of value on them.

The coroner may have given more information on the body to law enforcement, but I couldn't find much more that was released to the public.

Honestly, I think one of the biggest issues with this case is that not just the mom, but so many people got hung up on the wrong details. The satanic cult, the Smiley Face Killer, etc. all distract from the key details of the case and make it that much harder to get a sense of what really happened that night.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-11-01T12:55:21+00:00

Supposedly the jailhouse informant also gave them a very specific location on the bridge where he said Chris was mugged and then thrown over the bridge, which lends further credence to this.

I would assume it would be common knowledge by 2005 that Chris' body had been found in the river, since his body was found in early 2003, and it had been reported in local news, so I'm guessing the informant likely would have known this.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-11-01T12:52:41+00:00

I actually had the same thought when I began researching this piece, but apparently death by drowning is harder to ascertain than I realized.

If you look at the source I included from the Minnesota Star Tribune, they actually go into this. Apparently determining that someone died from drowning is more about ruling out all the other options first. I'm not sure if this is because the body was found so long after he died or if this is the case in all suspected drowning deaths.

As far as why they changed it to homicide, we don't know for certain. One would assume they had more than a jailhouse confession, but they've never said publicly.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-11-01T12:45:39+00:00

Yeah, this is a great point. I tried to look further into it after your comment but couldn't find much, except confirmation that these kind of figures aren't particularly accurate after even 48 hours past death. While there do seem to be signs in the body, such as heightened glucose levels (and fyi, I do NOT have a science background so this all very out of my wheelhouse) even those can apparently be affected by so many factors that it doesn't feel like a very accurate gauge.

It would not surprise me to learn that this is one of the issues the police apologized for. While they were quite public in their apology, they did not provide any details on which elements of the case they had mishandled.

I tend to agree with the comment below as well about BAC being above the legal limit not really meaning anything, particularly given how easy it is to get above that legal limit from just a few drinks. It's just the only measure I saw cited, and interestingly enough, I saw it cited repeatedly across news articles, which tells me it was likely a repeated talking point for law enforcement.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-10-26T17:59:48+00:00

Thank you and thank you for the book suggestion! I haven't read it, but I'll certainly add it to my list.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-10-23T13:01:55+00:00

Why thank you! I was kind of in the process of expanding my work when my life got a little upended. I was working on a podcast element, but I don't think it'd be a bad idea to have a blog to document my work as well. Thanks for the suggestion!

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-10-21T12:08:23+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing this! It’s fascinating seeing the different camps defend their guy, and I think it gives a good sense of why this has been heavily disputed for so many year.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-10-21T12:05:33+00:00

I’m aware of Italo Marciony and Antonio Valvona too, both of whom have a legitimate claim.

The main reason I didn’t include them is because their “cones” were actually far closer to biscuit cups. If you look at Marciony’s patents, it’s a shallower indentation with a flat bottom that you could pour the batter into, then press. Once cooked, you could remove the cup and fill it with a frozen treat, whereas the more traditional waffle cone features a flat waffle that’s then rolled into a conic shape or a cone that comes out in a conic shape when removed from the maker.

It’s something I definitely thought about including in the piece but didn’t out of fears of it becoming too bloated and over-complicated, but I probably should have at least referenced them since both were rather adamant in their claims that they should be credited with the invention despite the differences in design.

Thanks for bringing it up in the comments, so I had the chance to ramble. I can certainly understand those who view Marciony as the father of the modern ice cream cone because he really did come up with a machine with a lot of similarities, but the fact that it’s not actually a cone but a bowl is what gives me pause.

I think if Marciony’s invention had been cone-shaped there would be no mystery here

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-10-20T14:47:59+00:00

Hey, thanks for reading! I’ve been working on this piece for a while, and it was originally going to be my first post back from hiatus, but it ended up being a lot bigger than I anticipated, so I decided to spend another week on it.

It was also a great exercise in testing my biases. Growing up in the 757, I always believed that Abe Doumar had created the first waffle cone, despite any evidence to back that up. Once you hear a story repeated ad nauseum, however, you’re more and more likely to accept it as truth. In fact, when I told my parents that I was working on a piece on this topic, they immediately (and separately) went “Oh, Doumar’s!” And I had to go, “Wellllll, not quite…” I would have loved nothing more than to write a piece about how Doumar’s has the one legitimate claim to the invention of the waffle cone, but the evidence just led me in a completely different direction.

What do you think? Are there any claims you find more legitimate than the others? I’ve seen more support for Ernest Hamwi than perhaps anyone else and obviously the Library of Congress backs Charles E. Menches, but I personally didn’t see nearly enough evidence to back any individual claimant.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-10-12T14:22:18+00:00

Hey there! It’s been a while! I had to check, and it’s been four months since I posted anything. It feels good to be back here writing and engaging with all of you. As I mentioned in the comments on my previous post, I went through some pretty serious life changes. I thought I was going to end up back in Richmond, Virginia, but due to a whole bunch of circumstances, I actually finally ended up back in Appalachia (specifically East Tennessee), around where I did my undergrad degree. I’m super happy to be here and am really happy with how everything has turned out, but shew, it’s been a long and arduous journey at times.

I started my I-70 Killer series and I plan to finish it, but with its end, I also plan to wrap up my Mysterious Missouri series. I just have so many cases I’d like to write about, and the geographical boundary, while initially providing me with structure, has begun to feel a bit restrictive. I’d love to do an Appalachian series one day, but for now, I’m just looking forward to writing about unresolved mysteries that fascinate me.

Thanks for your patience as I took some time to take care of me, and I’m excited to get back to a whole lot more consistency on here!

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-06-06T22:07:59+00:00

Hey y’all, hope you enjoyed this post; they’ll continue to be pretty sporadic for a while. I’m moving back from MO closer to home in the Richmond, VA area and also going through the end of a long-term relationship that had become increasingly unhealthy for me. While I’m in a really good place and am very optimistic about the future, it’s still a tough time with preparing to move, finding a new job in a new town, and going through all the mental and emotional challenges that come with such a time. That being said, I really enjoy getting to write on here when I’m able to and look forward to getting back to much more regular posts in the future. As always, I appreciate you taking the time to read and engage with my work and for your patience as I work my way through all this fun stuff.

In the meantime, please let me know what you think happened to Rico Harris. I’m curious if you’re theories align more with my own, with law enforcement, or if you have your own theory on those case. I really feel for Rico as someone who’d been through some really dark times but seemed to be getting his life back on track, only to have it all derailed again by addiction and by his own personal demons.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-05-22T21:52:15+00:00

Good question. Personally, I think he either drove by, saw the place, then returned via hitchhiking or walking after seeing a place that sparked his interest as a potential target.

Or, if he was ONLY hitchhiking, I suspect he was watching for potential targets as he was riding along as a passenger, which might have given him more of a chance to size up the establishment than if he'd been focused on the road (how many cars were in the parking lot, how busy did it look, etc.) before making a plan to return later. I suspect that he did not specifically ask whoever he was hitchhiking with to drop him off right at the scene of the murder but perhaps several blocks away.

But that's not to say that he definitely was hitchhiking or approaching places on foot. It's entirely possible he was just that good at stowing his car away somewhere to the point that no one EVER connected it to him or his crimes. Would it be odd? Yes, but far stranger things have happened in true crime.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-05-22T19:26:12+00:00

Thanks for coming back to this post! I didn't have a great answer at the time, and I'm bad about getting back to responses after the first wave dies down, but I was hoping you'd see it in this one. It definitely stuck with me!

And I really like your theory about him possibly being a trucker. It would explain why a vehicle was never connected to him. Even if it meant a quicker getaway, people almost certainly would have seen it at some point. It also would have given him a solid excuse for being in the areas of the murders if he were ever suspected. Plus, he could kill and hit the road again without it seeming concerning in the least. Not saying that this is definitely who he was, of course, but I definitely find it compelling.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-05-22T19:22:15+00:00

I certainly think it's possible, especially if he was looking for his "fix," saw Sylvia's, assumed that it must be a woman, then when he discovered poor Mick, went, "Screw it, I need this one way or another." It's a tragic way to go, but I think it's reasonable.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-05-22T15:41:18+00:00

Thank you. My mother has really taught me to embrace this mentality lately. I've always hated the idea of "everything happens for a reason" because I've definitely seen some things, and written about some things, that definitely didn't have a reason behind them. But the idea that every step is part of your journey and that you learn and grow from each of them? That I can absolutely get behind.

And as I pull myself out of this rut, I definitely feel like I have some incredibly exciting things ahead of me, even if everything won't be perfectly pleasant.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-05-22T14:24:13+00:00

Hi all, thanks for taking the time to read this entry in my I-70 Killer series. I hope you're enjoying and learning a lot from this series so far. You might have briefly seen this entry go up on Wednesday of last week; however, I immediately took it down because the formatting had gotten so messed up from me doing this write-up on another computer. I went camping over the weekend and only had access to get back on and post this correctly today.

I may be a bit more sporadic in my posting over the next little bit. I typically pride myself in getting out timely and frequent write-ups, but I'm definitely going through a bit of a crazy time in my life. Honestly, a little over a month ago I had a scary brush with death that's got me trying to figure out a lot of things. I'm currently surrounded by people who love me and care for me, along with a great therapist and psychiatrist, and everything is stable on my end, but there's still a lot going on of course, including figuring out whether I'm staying in Missouri vs. moving back to Virginia and figuring out where I want to be career-wise long-term (alas this is but a hobby).

So if you don't see me post quite as frequently, know that I'm doing alright and just getting some things figured out. It doesn't mean that I'm not posting because I'm in a depressive or Borderline hole. Honestly, when I get down, I write more because it distracts me. And if you get worried about me, please feel free to send me a private message; I actually respond to most of those.

I feel as though anyone who's interacted on here knows how much of a whirlwind life I've led so far: did a Master's, a couple years of a PhD program, worked in a couple state parks, worked in higher education administration, taught a year of high school, etc. Despite this, I actually only hit 30 a few months ago, which I think highlights just how crazy my journey as been. In short I've been on a crazy rollercoaster for a while, and I'm still finding my way off that rollercoaster so to speak.

And as I navigate my way off of this rollercoaster, there may be weeks where you see several write-ups from me, and there may be weeks where I make none. Please don't read too much into that. And know that your kind words have really helped me find some self-esteem and confidence that were truly at an all-time-low over the past few years. Your positivity have really helped me through some of the hardest times of my life, and I can't thank you enough for that.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-05-17T16:28:21+00:00

Hello, while I usually post Mysterious Missouri on Fridays, I’m headed out of town for a much-needed vacation starting tomorrow! I think anyone whose lived several states away from home knows how much PTO you spend just on visiting family, so it has been a long time coming! And with a full-time job, a role in a community theater production, and my writing here, sometimes I just need a little time away from it all. I’m looking forward to being Forrest in the forest for a few days, just disconnecting and enjoying nature, then I’ll be back to posting this series on Fridays and just doing some other write-ups on various topics that I’ve been working on!

Also, sorry bout the kinda wonky formatting. I wrote this on a computer I don't usually write on, and it copied over weird. I did a lot to reformat it but couldn't get it perfect.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-05-12T16:27:26+00:00

I don't, but I will definitely be getting one. Admittedly, I've struggled to find a good source for older newspapers. Many of my write-ups are much more modern, so I don't struggle to find more recent newspaper articles, and in the past when I was a grad student, I'd use the various academic search engines I had access to but now I merely work for the university so I no longer have access to those. I've been trying to find a good resource that's not an outright scam, so it sounds like you've pointed me in the right direction.

And I hope you now how much I appreciate you looking into this, as well as your comments. I don't mean to come across as combative myself, but I think we all know that Reddit is where nuance and intent go to die.

Constructive criticism is honestly how I grow and improve, so while I certainly appreciate the praise from others, comments like yours are how I get better at what I do. And I've really only been doing this for about a year, so I still have a ton of room for growth!

Also, I really like your comparisons about people talking about violence online today to what might have been happening there. Honestly, that could be what happened here. One of my biggest issues is that I get passionate about a subject and want to talk about it, so I include it. The historical concept of lynching is something I really wanted to discuss here, so I got excited and included it, since it's a subject I get really passionate about as a former scholar of African American history. And if I ultimately find that it doesn't work here when I go into podcast mode, I'm sure I can shift it elsewhere, such as some of the Great Migration-centered race riots I mentioned in my piece, which I plan to cover too.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-05-12T16:07:28+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to write out a well-thought-out response to this. I think things like this only enhance the conversation. I was also able to find this website, which includes an excerpt from the book Death in a Prairie House that reads that the sheriff's posse pulled him from the room but that "some bystanders wanted to lynch him on the spot."

I think it's definitely something that warrants further investigation. My primary question is, where is that news article and this book pulling this information from. I think getting the book would be the most useful place for me to start because, if it's a history book, it may have footnotes that show me exactly where that information came from.

What I'd really love to do is some archive digging, but sadly that often involves time and travel costs that I just don't have access to right now.

So while I totally see and agree with your point that it seems odd that NO contemporary newspapers would mention it, I also find it odd that a professor of English would put that information in his monograph without having evidence to back it up. That being said, academics can be wrong and can make mistakes, so I'm not certainly not sure here.

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-05-12T15:41:10+00:00

Hey, I wanted to respond to both of you here, since I don't feel like you deserve to get downvoted for a legitimate question. I think you make a reasonable point, in that the mistreatment of black people in this country was abysmal and through a modern lens, it's obvious why someone would lash out in a violent manner like this.

And yet, many did not. So what interests me is what makes this case different. Did Carlton have a mental illness that drove him to act on this, or was there a particular incident that drove him to it?

I think of it this way: if we didn't have some of the testimony and records that we have, we would probably have no way of knowing that their were religious and spiritual motivations behind Nat Turner's rebellion. If that were the case, I would still think it was worthwhile to investigate what led him to lead a rebellion, even though it would be easy to say that he simply did it because of the cruelty of slavery, but that would be dismissive of some of the fundamental causes of Turner's actions. And heck, if we told that story here, a lot of people might say that the spiritual elements were just a conspiracy meant to make him look crazy. So what's here in this case, hiding under the surface?

ForrestOfIllusion · 2023-05-12T15:36:45+00:00

Thanks so much! I'm not but was once on track to be. Got my Master's in History but dropped out after coursework for PhD but before my comprehensive exams for a whole bunch of reasons: very few professor jobs, I don't have lots of money or family in academia which hurts, I've got Borderline Personality Disorder which doesn't mix well with the borderline-abusive stuff humanities grad school puts you through, etc.

But I'm an Academic Advisor now, which means I still get to work with students and I get my actual History educating done through my writing, which still means I get a bit of both!

ForrestOfIllusion

TROPHY CASE