Rachel Cooke - The Search for Rachel Phase V

The search ended with a couple of things being bagged for the sheriff and once again knowing where Rachel isn't. As stated many times by now, knowing where Rachel isn't is important too.

 

Thanks, JR

Those are some very dedicated searchers to go out in the hot weather. Can you send me a bumper sticker? It's not likely that Rachel is in PA....but, you never know.

 

Saturday, 29 June 2002

IMHO, this day marks a significant change in the search for Rachel Cooke and hopefully for Elizabeth Smart and all abduction victims.

Several Forums for Justice Texas members decided to join in the search for Rachel. Initially, we saw a press advantage because there was a new angle to present to the press. Folks from as far away from Utah and California and as close as Houston and Austin were coming to volunteer their efforts in the search. The Williamson County Sun, our local paper, agreed to pick up the story.

For the first weekend in some time, there were over 20 searchers allowing RC to divide the group into 3 teams.

The folks from Forums For Justice arrive at the search center.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

More searchers arrive

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

The search group kept growing

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

FFJ Members starting a grid search

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

Checking carefully

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

Watching for snakes is important too

Searcher safety is very important in a search.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

Moving out

This area was complete so the group moved out to reform their grid line on the next search site.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

Ominus clouds

The rain held off long enough for the search to be completed and then it poured.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

Terrain

Even when the scrub is fairly clear, the terrain is not always easy going.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

Downhill terrain

One has to be here on a search to understand just how rough the walking can be between scrub, cactus and rocks, not to mention watching for snakes.

 

Look everywhere

When doing a gridsearch, we look down of course, but we also look to the sides, up to make sure nothing was tossed into a tree and we look behind us because sometimes you may spot something by looking from a new angle.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

Break time

Taking breaks for rehydration is very important at any time but especially when one is searching in temperatures in the mid 90's.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

Key person

One really key member of the search team is the person who stays on the road. This person helps the searchers in the field keep in line but they also must search the roadside because oftentimes, evidence gets tossed out a car window and will be discovered within a foot or so from the road edge. We also watch for people who may be getting over heated and send them back to a vehicle to rehydrate and cool down.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

On this search

Some items were found that were significant enough to contact the sheriff's office. The Major Crime Unit Investigator came out and determined the find was significant enough to call in the Crime Scene Unit. It was a tense 4 hours for the Cooke family because one of the forum members located what appeared to be a grave site.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

Site tagged - 25 foot rule

The apparent grave site was flagged with red tape and then the searchers in the area followed the 25 foot rule. They all back off 25 feet to make sure the crime scene is not contaminated.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

In backing off...

The searcher then spotted what appeared to be hair evidence in a pile of brush. This "hair" along with a couple of other items found in the general vicinity were picked up with gloved hands, bagged and turned over to the Major Crime Scene Investigator.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs

 

The immediate area

Staying well clear of the apparent grave site, the search team then carefully check the remaining area for other possible evidence while waiting for the Sheriff's Office. The area was guarded by search team members until the SO arrived.

Copyright ©2002 Jacqueline L. Riggs