Sunday, June 13, 2010

Priorities - rustling or disappearance


What's more important in Woodstock? A missing woman or a missing horse?

In the Beth Bentley case, she has been missing from southern Illinois since the afternoon of Sunday, May 23rd, when she reportedly was dropped off at or near the Centralia Amtrak station.

In the case of the missing horse, it was last seen in the area of 218 Main Street last week-end, in beautiful downtown Woodstock (just a block or so from the Metra train station).

No one saw Beth board the train.

No one saw the horse leave Main Street.

No one knows how Beth left the area of the train station.

No one knows how the horse left down Woodstock. (No evidence of foul play)

But cops (or deputies or the posse) caught up with the rustlers pretty fast. Did they follow the hoof prints on the bricks out of town?

But, so far, the police won't associate "foul play" with Beth's disappearance. There is no "evidence" of foul play.

What would constitute "evidence" of foul play? Well, I mean, besides ...

Did she take a stash of money with her when she left Woodstock?

Did she have an extra cell phone or buy one on the trip south or once there?

Did she ave a money account about which the family knew nothing?

Did she take some favorite jewelry with her?
Let's say that you wanted to disappear? How would you do it? You'd need money. Or access to money. Or someone with money.

You'd need clothing. Shelter. Food. Transportation. You'd need something to alter your appearance. You'd need a plan.

Of course, there are people who just set out on a trip. They don't decide which way to turn until they arrive at a corner.

I don't know Beth Bentley. Was she meticulous in planning? A place for everything, and everything in its place? Or carefree? Scattered? Disorganized?

Beth, if you are reading this, just call the Woodstock P.D. (815.338.2131) or the Mt. Vernon P.D. (618.242.2727). Confirm your identity to them and just tell them you are alive and okay. Or contact a reporter (Nick Pistor at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch would be a good one ( at (314) 340-8265 or NPistor@post-dispatch.com) or call me (847.971.7083), so that you are sure the word gets out to the public.

No comments: