'Substantial development' in Rachel Cooke disappearance

Discussion in 'The Search for Rachel Cooke' started by "J_R", Nov 8, 2006.

  1. "J_R"

    "J_R" Shutter Bug Bee

    06:11 PM CST on Wednesday, November 8, 2006

    KVUE.com

    KVUE News has learned that investigators will disclose new information in connection with the disappearance of Rachel Cooke Thursday morning.


    Cooke disappeared while jogging near her home in Williamson County on January 10, 2002. The Williamson County Sheriff's Office and several other law enforcement agencies have been investigating the case since she disappeared.

    Wednesday afternoon, Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley stated in a news release that a "substantial development in the investigation" will be announced during a hearing before 368th District Court Judge Burt Carnes. The hearing will take place at 10 a.m. Officials said they would not release any other information until the hearing.

    Cooke was last seen near her home in the Northlake development on F.M. 3405, northwest of Georgetown. Detectives believe she disappeared near the end of her 3 to 4 mile run around 11 a.m.

    There have been massive searches and nationwide publicity about the case, but past searches have failed to turn up any evidence as to Cooke's whereabouts.

    Most recently, celebrity psychic James Van Praag worked to help authorities solve the mysterious disappearance. He met with Cooke's parents earlier this year, making no promises, except he will try his best to help find their daughter.


    "Yeah, we have a whole bunch of stuff already, and we have not even started yet, but stuff has already come through," he said. "I've researched the best psychic detectives there are in the country, and I've gathered them -- my dream team."

    "Even if nothing comes out of the psychic predictions, there's just that many more people who will know Rachel's story," Robert Cooke, victim's father, said at the time.

    Robert Cooke writes a blog about the search for Rachel on kvue.com.



    http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/110806kvueRachelCooke-cb.1a5d1fb1.html
     
  2. "J_R"

    "J_R" Shutter Bug Bee

    New Development In Rachel Cooke Disappearance

    Nov 8, 2006 9:27 pm US/Central

    Gregg Watson
    Reporting

    (CBS 42) There are new developments in a missing person case that has stumped Georgetown investigators.

    The Williamson County district attorney says he's about to announce a substantial development in the case of Rachel Cooke.

    Cooke disappeared more than four years ago while out jogging.

    Right now, it isn’t know what that big development is. The DA isn't talking and the Cooke family who has been outspoken since Rachel’s disappearance, are saying nothing.

    Rachel Cooke’s father called most of her family and told them to meet him at the courthouse early Thursday morning.

    But Robert Cooke won't said why.

    Rachel's aunt told CBS 42 she doesn't know what to think about all this, and that it was going to be a long night.

    "She loved life and had tons of friends they all loved her and miss her," Rachel’s father Robert Cooke said earlier this year.

    The pain of his missing daughter still fresh.

    Four years ago, Rachel vanished without a trace while jogging near her home in Georgetown. Hundreds of volunteers searched for weeks after her disappearance. Billboards went up in Williamson County asking for any information.

    Rachel was even featured on national television.

    Now most of Georgetown is waiting for the district attorney's big announcement.

    At one point the Cooke family raised over $50,000 as a reward to anyone who could help them solve this case.

    The district attorney's office says they will have a news conference Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Williamson County courthouse.

    http://keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_312183218.html
     
  3. "J_R"

    "J_R" Shutter Bug Bee

    New Information In Rachel Cooke Case Coming

    Nov 8, 2006 07:42 PM CST

    There's word that there might be a break in the almost four-year investigation into the disappearance of Rachel Cooke.

    Nineteen-year-old Rachel disappeared in January 2002 while jogging near her home in Williamson County.

    Wednesday, the Williamson County District Attorney released a statement that said a "substantial development in the investigation will be announced" during a hearing Thursday morning in the 368th District Court.

    DA John Bradley added that "no further information will be disclosed until that hearing takes place.

    KXAN talked to Rachel's mother Wednesday evening, who told us the family talked to authorities Wednesday. She said the family will speak after Thursday's hearing.

    http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=5653329
     
  4. "J_R"

    "J_R" Shutter Bug Bee

    New information expected in Rachel Cooke case

    11/8/2006 5:11 PM
    By: News 8 Austin Staff


    Rachel Cooke
    New information is expected in the Rachel Cooke case on Thursday.

    Cooke, 19, disappeared in 2002 while jogging near her parent's Georgetown home. Her disappearance has remained a mystery since then.

    The Williamson County's District Attorney's office is expected to announce what they're calling a "substantial" development in the investigation during a court hearing on Thursday.

    Several law enforcement agencies worked together to try to solve this case.

    For more information on the case, visit rachelcookesearch.org.

    http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=174353
     
  5. Moab

    Moab Admin Staff Member

    I certainly hope this break is real and this sweet and loving family can get some closure.

    Thoughts and prayers are with the Cooke family on the eve of this hearing, and Robert, please know we are thinking about you and your family tonight, and will be during the hearing tomorrow as well.
     
  6. "J_R"

    "J_R" Shutter Bug Bee

    Update coming Thursday in case of missing Georgetown woman

    Rachel Cooke, missing since 2002, was last seen jogging.

    By Katie Humphrey
    AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
    Thursday, November 09, 2006

    Authorities will announce a "substantial development" in the case of Rachel Cooke, a Georgetown woman who has been missing since 2002, in a hearing today.

    Cooke was 19 when she vanished while jogging near her parents' home near Georgetown on Jan. 10, 2002.


    Rachel Cooke 19-year-old Georgetown resident was last seen jogging in January 2002.

    Officials have said that neighbors last saw Cooke jogging about 10:30 a.m., 100 or 200 yards from her family's home in the Northlake subdivision.

    Cooke, a former all-state cross country runner for Georgetown High School, was home on winter break from Mesa Junior College in California when she disappeared.

    Hundreds of volunteers helped authorities search for Cooke in the days following her disappearance, combing the rural terrain on foot and horseback. They later distributed fliers bearing Cooke's picture throughout Central Texas.

    In January 2004, the Williamson County sheriff's office assembled a multi-agency task force of 10 investigators to take another look at the case. The team had spent 1,000 hours interviewing more than 100 people by May of that year, officials have said.

    Rachel Cooke's parents, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening, have made multiple pleas for anyone with information about the case to come forward.

    The Cooke family also has offered a $50,000 reward for information that helps solve the case.

    Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley announced in a media release Wednesday afternoon that the development in the case will be revealed this morning in a hearing in the 368th District Court. He couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.


    http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/11/09/9cooke.html
     
  7. LurkerXIV

    LurkerXIV Moderator

    Rachel

    I hope this is it for the Cookes...the resolution they have been working and praying for.

    Please keep us updated.

    Thanks!
     
  8. Watching You

    Watching You Superior Bee Admin

    I suspect this has something to do with the bones that were found in the barrel in the lake a couple of months ago. They were doing DNA testing on them. If they have substantial new information, it might be that those bones belong to Rachel. It will answer the question of where she is, but what a heartache for the Cookes...
     
  9. RiverRat

    RiverRat FFJ Sr. Member Extraordinaire (Pictured at Lef

    Oh my....
     
  10. RiverRat

    RiverRat FFJ Sr. Member Extraordinaire (Pictured at Lef

    10:05 PM CST on Wednesday, November 8, 2006

    KVUE News

    Cooke, 19, disappeared while jogging near her home in Williamson County on January 10, 2002. The Williamson County Sheriff's Office and several other law enforcement agencies have been investigating the case since she disappeared.

    Sources say a body still has not been located, but a man believed to be in state custody right now is expected to be charged in connection with her death.

    Wednesday afternoon, Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley stated in a news release that a "substantial development in the investigation" will be announced during a hearing before 368th District Court Judge Burt Carnes. The hearing will take place at 10 a.m. Officials said they would not release any other information until the hearing.

    Cooke was last seen near her home in the Northlake development on F.M. 3405, northwest of Georgetown. Detectives believe she disappeared near the end of her 3 to 4 mile run around 11 a.m.

    There have been massive searches and nationwide publicity about the case, but past searches have failed to turn up any evidence as to Cooke's whereabouts.

    Most recently, celebrity psychic James Van Praag worked to help authorities solve the mysterious disappearance. He met with Cooke's parents earlier this year, making no promises, except he will try his best to help find their daughter.

    "Yeah, we have a whole bunch of stuff already, and we have not even started yet, but stuff has already come through," he said. "I've researched the best psychic detectives there are in the country, and I've gathered them -- my dream team."

    "Even if nothing comes out of the psychic predictions, there's just that many more people who will know Rachel's story," Robert Cooke, victim's father, said at the time.

    Robert Cooke writes a blog about the search for Rachel on kvue.com
     
  11. Watching You

    Watching You Superior Bee Admin

    Oh my, that's not what I expected, at all, but if they really have the guy, it is a significant break in the case.

    It's an awful thing to think, but I'm afraid the Boulder mess up with John Karr makes me cynical of information like this. Just more fallout from Lacy's and Tracey's mishandling of the JBR case.

    JR, where the hey are you?
     
  12. RiverRat

    RiverRat FFJ Sr. Member Extraordinaire (Pictured at Lef

    KVUE News

    A man already serving a life sentence is now charged in the murder of Rachel Cooke.

    It's been nearly five years since the 19-year-old girl disappeared while jogging near her home in Williamson County.

    Her body has still not been found.

    Michael Moore is serving a life sentence for the 2003 murder of Christina Moore in Round Rock. The Dell executive was pregnant at the time she was killed. The victim and killer are not related. Moore was convicted earlier this year.

    Thursday morning during a hearing before 368th District Court Judge Burt Carnes, Moore pleaded not guilty to Cooke's murder. He waived his right to indictment. Court documents say that Moore hit Cooke with a hammer and suffocated her.

    The Williamson County Sheriff's Office and several other law enforcement agencies have been investigating the case since Cooke disappeared on January 10, 2002.

    Cooke was last seen near her home in the Northlake development on F.M. 3405, northwest of Georgetown. Detectives believe she disappeared near the end of her 3 to 4 mile run around 11 a.m.

    There have been massive searches and nationwide publicity about the case, but past searches have failed to turn up any evidence as to Cooke's whereabouts.

    Robert Cooke, Rachel's father, has become an activist for issues related to missing persons. He writes a blog about the search for Rachel on KVUE.com.
     
  13. RiverRat

    RiverRat FFJ Sr. Member Extraordinaire (Pictured at Lef

    CBS 42) GEORGETOWN Convicted murderer Michael Moore has been charged in a Williamson County courtroom in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Rachel Cooke, the 19-year-old Georgetown resident who disappeared four years ago.

    Moore pleaded not guilty to the charges, which seemed to surprise his lawyers, who requested a 15-minute recess after Moore entered the plea.

    The Williamson County District Attorney announced at a district trial Thursday morning in Georgetown that Michael Moore is the main suspect in Rachel Cooke's disappearance.

    Moore was convicted of the murder and kidnapping of pregnant mother Christina Moore in February.

    Cooke disappeared on Jan. 10, 2002, after having gone out jogging from her Georgetown home.

    http://keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_313100626.html
     
  14. Moab

    Moab Admin Staff Member

    Thanks RR for keeping up with this...just spoke to JR...and it seems in the middle of the hearing the guy backed down and plead not guilty after he testified for the grand jury who indicted him...there was a plea bargain in place, and I don't know how that has been affected now that he plead NG.
     
  15. RiverRat

    RiverRat FFJ Sr. Member Extraordinaire (Pictured at Lef

    Thanks, Moab. What a whirlwind the Cooke family is in the middle of right now, so I like knowing that JR is on the spot.
     
  16. RiverRat

    RiverRat FFJ Sr. Member Extraordinaire (Pictured at Lef

    CBS 42) GEORGETOWN Convicted murderer Michael Moore has been charged in a Williamson County courtroom in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Rachel Cooke, the 19-year-old Georgetown resident who disappeared four years ago.

    Moore pleaded not guilty to the charges, which seemed to surprise his lawyers, who requested a 15-minute recess after Moore entered the plea.

    The Williamson County District Attorney announced at a district trial Thursday morning in Georgetown that Michael Moore is the main suspect in Rachel Cooke's disappearance.

    The indictment says prosecuters believe Moore killed Cooke by striking her with a hammer or suffocating her or some combination of the two.

    Moore was convicted of the murder and kidnapping of pregnant mother Christina Moore in February. He confessed to the crime and received 30-year prison sentence. Christina Moore was murdered in her Round Rock home Sept. 23, 2003.

    Cooke disappeared on Jan. 10, 2002, after having gone out jogging from her Georgetown home.

    http://keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_313100626.html
     
  17. LurkerXIV

    LurkerXIV Moderator

    Oh, dear...this is awful.

    I am so sorry for the Cookes and all their relatives and friends. My heart goes out to them at this time.
     
  18. LurkerXIV

    LurkerXIV Moderator

    This is interesting:

    Woman's Role Critical in Apprehending Moore

    http://keyetv.com/seenon/local_story_071135124.html

    (She first reported him for parole violations.)

    To understand Johnson’s critical role in solving the September 23, 2003 murder of Christina Moore, you have to go back to 2001.

    That's when Bettye Johnson met Michael Moore with his stepson, Randall Johnson. Right after Randall and Bettye started dating, Bettye found out she was pregnant and Randall found himself in jail for parole violations.

    She says Michael Moore later told Randall he robbed a gun store.

    Bettye says she called police who never arrested him.

    “My belief is if the police would've looked into it, he would've been locked up. He would have been locked up because it was a lot of guns. He would have been locked up a long time and he would've never broke into Christina Moore’s house and murdered her,†Johnson said.

    My comment: and Rachel Cooke would still be alive.
     
  19. "J_R"

    "J_R" Shutter Bug Bee

    OK Y'All - I am only presuming a plea bargain was on the table by what went down in the courtroom.

    Michael Keith Moore was brought into the courtroom and the first thing that struck me was that this b*stard has that self same smirk as Scaught Peterson. I wanted to puke.

    When the judge entered the courtroom it was announced that Mr. Moore was being charged with first degree murder and he was asked how he pleaded. He said, "not guilty." The judge seemed taken aback and asked him to repeat his plea. He again stated, "not guilty." The judge stared hard at him and his attorneys. There was then a meeting at the bench with the attorneys and the DA and then the defense attorneys sat and chatted with Mr. Moore. Finally, a recess was called for 15 minutes. After almost an hour it was announced that the case was to be postponed indefinitely and that there would be a press conference followed by a meeting for the family with the DA. We sat in the courtroom for a while then were shuttled past the media to the family room(s) and finally to the grand jury room where we were given a short briefing by the DA and asked to hang in there.

    RC's words regarding the Rachel Cooke Search are, "we are not done yet."


    Read the next news article and I believe you will make the same presumptions...
     
  20. "J_R"

    "J_R" Shutter Bug Bee

    Moore Charged With Murder Of Rachel Cooke

    Moore charged with murder of Rachel Cooke

    12:26 PM CST on Thursday, November 9, 2006

    KVUE News

    A man already serving a life sentence is now charged in the murder of Rachel Cooke.

    It's been nearly five years since the 19-year-old girl disappeared while jogging near her home in Williamson County.

    Her body has still not been found.

    Michael Moore is serving a life sentence for the 2003 murder of Christina Moore in Round Rock. The Dell executive was pregnant at the time she was killed. The victim and killer are not related. Moore was convicted in February of 2006.

    Thursday morning during a hearing before 368th District Court Judge Burt Carnes, Moore pleaded not guilty to Cooke's murder. He waived his right to indictment. Court documents say that Moore hit Cooke with a hammer and suffocated her.

    According to Williamson County District Attorney John Bradley, prosecutors had expected Moore to plead guilty. During a news conference, Bradley called the developments "unexpected and disappointing."

    According to prosecutors, Moore contacted authorities in August to talk about the Cooke slaying. They say he confessed things that only someone involved would have known.

    Williamson County authorities worked out a plea agreement with Moore to help bring closure for the family. The deal would have added a fourth life sentence onto the three Moore is already serving. The sentence would have run concurrently.

    Bradley said Moore has the right to change his mind and plead not guilty but that it was hurtful for Cooke's family. The charge of murder will stand, and it could be upgraded to capital murder. Authorities say they will work to prosecute Moore in Cooke's death.

    ...snip

    http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/110906kvuerachelcooke1-eh.1df4e24f.html
     

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