Interviews w/ People Involved & Interested

[fsbiii]

I hope Nancy Grace's ignited coverage, and U.S. Representative Jack Kingston's involvement, will open some new doors and put pressure on the guilty parties...

Kingston May Lend Federal Heft To Search For Missing Beauty Queen
Jan. 12, 2006

By Seamus McGraw

OCILLA, GA (Crime Library ) — Nearly four months after high school teacher and former beauty queen Tara Grinstead mysteriously vanished, a prominent Georgia congressman is adding his name to the roster of her supporters.

Seven-term Rep. Jack Kingston, a Republican whose district includes the rural Georgia community where Tara was last seen, is scheduled to meet Jan. 24 with the missing woman's family. The purpose of the meeting is to lend support to Tara's family, said Rob Asbell, the congressman's director of communications, and also to attract media attention to the search that so far has yielded few tangible results. "If it brings attention...to the search for Tara then...that's really what he wants," Asbell said.

Kingston also plans to explore other potential areas where he might be able to lend some support, Asbell said. "There's always a chance that if there's any indication that she may have been abducted or...that whatever happened crossed state lines then he can...maybe get someone in the FBI involved."

Noting that eastern Georgia is also home to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the central training facility for the US Department of Homeland Security, Asbell said Kingston would consider the possibility of enlisting trainees to join in future searches for Grinstead. "Perhaps...he might even suggest that some of their people go over and train by searching for her, " Asbell said. "I'm not saying that it would happen, but maybe there might be something that...might help this family."

Hi,
Did anyone catch On the Record? Greta had an interview with Tara's sister Anita and brother-in-law Larry. They were furious about rumours that Larry and Tara had an affair. They denied the affair rumours, and it was also mentioned that Larry had taken a polygraph test (i think they said he passed it).

I heard the only failed question on the poly was about the affair?

Hummm.. that interview was something else, wasn't it?

I know I have read on the boards(not for the truth of the matter) that Tara and her sister Anita were not very close-but- hmmm...

My question is "Why are they questioning him now?" Hasn't he been questioned before? What have they found to focus thier time questioning him to the point of a polygragh being administered? During the polygragh he was asked if had had an affair with Tara.....he failed. Why did he fail? Maybe he was just nervous....but then..... If LE was accusing him of an affair after he failed the LDT then why was he nervous during the test? Something had to spark thier interest in the BIL At this point....anything is possible. IMO

I agree, Lucky's_Wife:

One thing I have learned in watching and being interested in true crime cases and mysteries-nothing is impossible. You never know what the truth is.

LE has probably heard that rumour from around Ocilla and they have probably heard it from more than one person, so they had to try to get to the truth of the matter. They can't just say that's probably not true so we won't question him about this. Because if it is true that opens up a whole new avenue-a whole new can of worms. They probably asked him the question first among others and then asked him if he would be willing to take a polygraph. Evidently he agreed to take the test and he failed on that one question according to him and Anita.

Beats me why he failed that one question!

As for why he and Anita announced it on Greta it was probably because they are trying to get ahead of maybe the fact that he failed that question-before it became public nationally. They probably wanted to put their spin on it first. The best defense is a good offense etc. or something like that.....

I'm wondering what Anita is really thinking tonight about this...considering the rumour that she and Tara were not that close anyway? If it was me I would probably be somewhat curious!

I think that everyone is looking in the wrong direction. There is a lot of information that supposedly has not been released to the public. It is my opinion that everyone is looking too close to home. If she was taking classes, at night, in another town, I think there are a lot of leads there that have probably not been released. I'm going to lean more towards one of the earlier posts about an obsessed fellow student, or maybe just someone she came accross or even met briefly, pumping gas, or grabbing a quick bottle of water before class. She may have never given it a second thought, but who knows..................
Just a thought.........

[Atok]

I look close to home until it's weeded out, then I move in circles of interest around her life areas and this would include the college classes. From there I'd move on to tangental connections and then random acts and people of suspicion known.

LE should have exhausted all the close to home leads by now and ought to have been moving through the life areas for some time now. The fact that little was done to reach the collegemates before the semester closed seems to be a real faux pas. The BIL was over at the campus early on becuase he said he felt LE wasn't looking there fast enough either.

The way we treat missing people is backwards IMO.
I wish we assumed a missing person's residence was a crime scene until proven otherwise. This would have preserved alot of now contaminated areas; in this and many other cases. It would help with prosecution when someone is found, now everything is all messed with.

I have the same opinion on organ donation, why aren't we all automatically donors unless we state "NO" on our license? We'd have a lot more organs to save lives with.

Well, I feel like there is something to it. How do you fail one question on a lie detecter. On another board it was posted that the Investigator leaked the info. I hate to believe it but honestly, I think there may be some truth to it. I dont know any of them, but you just dong get suspected of something like that. Does he have a criminal backgound, has any one thought to check him out? I think that this may have opened a whole can of worms. He probably would have been better off not doing that interview. Jmo.

Im stumped on this one. I caught the GVS interview on the rerun, at 1 this morning. I can't put my finger on it but something just doesn't seem right. We don't know what goes on behind closed doors in people's homes. I do think his background needs checked more closely, before ruling him out altogether.

[2lakes]

Originally posted by SageRatched :-)
Im stumped on this one. I caught the GVS interview on the rerun, at 1 this morning. I can't put my finger on it but something just doesn't seem right. We don't know what goes on behind closed doors in people's homes. I do think his background needs checked more closely, before ruling him out altogether.

I feel the same way. I tried not to post on this forum because I don't want to point fingers on the family if they are innocent but the BIL acted very cocky and tried to be overly convincing that he did not have an affair with her and that he was being "victimized" by law enforcement. Something just didn't seem right about that interview. I hope I'm wrong.

Did anyone else notice the photo the showed of Tara with a male person at the pageant she was in. It looked like the BIL with his arm around her waist. Maybe that family is really close but I can't see myself posing with just my brother in law

This is very deep and weighs heavy on what is going on behind the scenes.
Do you remember that right up fornt on day one, the SIS asked MH "what did you do with my sister"? Well IMO this attack on the BIL is related to that incident, and also to the fact BIL hit out on his own without LE sanctions to interview students at Valdosta college. LE is furious about that. The fact that MH lawyered up from day one is also very relevant to this eppisode with the BIL
Just MO

[concernedperson]

I actually believe this is more of a coverup than before.Why, I don't know.I have always believed in GBI. I have always believed them to be totally responsible.I have looked at them for the most horrific crimes. I always trusted them. Please don't make me eat my words as I want them on my side.

Ok, I posted this on theories, I cant seem to find which thread is talking about this. Why would they collect his DNA. I mean he was in the house before the LE came and they dont have a body? I was thinking and what if they did in fact find DNA on that glove? Not saying he did it, but what if that is why they collected DNA? Anyway wether he had an affair with her or not, he would have been better off not giving that interview. I dont think it flattered him in any way. I am torn. The more and more things come about the more I am confused. They always say behind each rumor is an inch of truth.

They never said anything about the glove. But I was wondering the glove being medical related and him being a doctor, I just was wondering if that may have been why they collected DNA.

Well, I use to help girls in pageants in Atlanta, and one thing you never do, is color your hair the day of the pageant. I know, I really hate to think that he had anything to do with it, and even if they did have an affair, that doesn't mean he had something to do with her dissapearance. Did anyone notice on his interview when he said that he has benn inter viewed 3 times and he is not sure, but doesnt think Anita had been interviewed. How would he be not sure.

Hi! Just wanted to respond to gloves being used the day of the pageant. Tara helped my daughter that day and while we were there, no gloves were used!

Irwin, what are your thoughts? What is everyone saying down there?

There are so many rumors flying around! Alot of what you are reading and I am just as unsure as most. I know when we were there at her house, Tara was happy and very much planning to be around on Monday. We said goodbye after the pageant and I just can't believe that she is gone!

Originally posted by Candace
All this BIL stuff is taking away the focus of the real culprit, the long-term BF, who was wanting her out of his life..The last straw was Tara banging on his window...The BF was in cahoots with LE. Now LE is grabbing for straws.. The BF should be requestioned. IMO. Not accusing him of murder, but I do think he knows more than he is saying.

I haven't been following this case as well as I wanted to. This is an interesting observation. I saw Greta's program last night and was perplexed by the BIL's interview, although I don't think he did this, at least at this point. I did see the former boyfriend's interview (don't remember his name now) a few months back, and I wasn't too impressed with him. However, I'm not sure why LE would cover for him. Is he or his family a prominent member of the community? I don't know why they would be in cahoots with him, but I may be out of the loop with this, as I haven't been closely following this case. Did you mean LE is grasping at anything to keep things going at this point, or do you really think they are protecting the former boyfriend? Like all of you, I just wish the family had some answers at this point.

[Atok]

Thank you for posting to us, Candace, about your personal feelings. I hope your daughter and the other girls are doing the best they can considering.

I think it's helpful to hear from people who were with her that day. When they say that she was happy and not indicating anything but normalcy we can throw any thoughts of self-designed disappearance out the window.

I never thought she left of her own free will anyway.

I've got a personal sort of question maybe you or your daughter could answer since you were at the house that day.

I am trying to ascertain if it was one of the girls or Tara who may have been having her period that weekend. Products were in Tara's trash. Kind of tacky to ask, I know, but it can eliminate a train of thought for some of us if we know for a fact that Tara was not potentially pregnant.

Some people have theorized news of a pregnancy could have upset one of the men in her life.

I guess everyone has different opinions. Some tell me that they lean toward the boyfriend. Others think that the married police officer still concerns them because of all the phone calls. I think everyone feels that it is not a random act. Not much has been said about the BIL. No one has said anything about believing that Mr. P is involved. He is the only one that I know pretty well. I know that he and his wife loved Tara and both spent time with her. I don't know if Tara talked to any of the girls about anything personal. Our community sure does need some answers!! The young people are hurting alot!

Atok, Are you asking me or Candace ?

[Atok]

Oops I meant my post to Irwinmom, on the personal products question.

It's late.

There were a long string of posts that went into speculation about JP. I posted several questions awhile back that were addressed primarily by a resident of the community.

I have one by one posted on each person of interest, not always on this board.
Just trying to get my facts straight and delete erroneous gossip when I can. It kind of feels pointless trying to do this becuase I don't have any LE information, I'm nobody but a sleuth poster. I just keep hoping that an unbiased pair of eyes might see something that's being overlooked, something that can make the difference for this case.

The GBI probably already has the results of the glove and if they are anything like the FBI- I doubt they will release what if any results they got to the public.

Especially if they got results back that implicates someone- they are still investigating-they will just add it to their arsenal of evidence to use in a prosecution.

So, they probably have the results of the glove in their possession and they probably won't release those results to the public until they get to court.

Originally posted by Atok
Oops I meant my post to Irwinmom, on the personal products question.

It's late.

There were a long string of posts that went into speculation about JP. I posted several questions awhile back that were addressed primarily by a resident of the community.

I have one by one posted on each person of interest, not always on this board.
Just trying to get my facts straight and delete erroneous gossip when I can. It kind of feels pointless trying to do this becuase I don't have any LE information, I'm nobody but a sleuth poster. I just keep hoping that an unbiased pair of eyes might see something that's being overlooked, something that can make the difference for this case.

Atok,
I have no idea regarding the personal question that you asked!
I can tell you that I also have never believed that Tara left on her own! She made several statements that day, that refered to the future. She had loaned my daughter several items to wear in the pageant and when I thanked her she said no problem just have your daughter drop them by my classroom on Monday. She also said that she worked in Valdosta Ga. doing makeup for a retailer and that she planned to work some throughout the upcoming x-mas holidays. That does not sound like someone planning to disappear!!
I told the GBI all of this when I was interviewed.

[Atok]

Thanks for the reply, Irwinmom. I wasn't sure how to approach that topic! I guess it's a question Dr. G might have had the answer to.

I feel the GBI might have said there wasn't any point in the glove, if they hadn't found anything. Didn't they say there was no reason to believe the clothes/sunglasses found on the search had any connection to Tara?
Not speaking leads me to believe they have one bit of info, but aren't sure how/if it connects to the disappearence. So as not to compromise it, they have said nothing. There is a chance that there is nothing to the glove and they don't want to say that becuase it's disheartening/embarassing they have no progress.
This is all random guesses, we won't know until they say something publicly. They won't say something publicly until they have a locked case.

There are so many "civilian" people who have done questionable things to compromise the investigation - JP and the car wash. mowing the lawn and now BIL searching through Tara's house.

I just cannot imagine that either my husband or I would mow the lawn or wash a car that was part of an investigation. And, neither of us would consider going through even a close relative's things (wastebasket, drawers, etc.), possibly compromising an investigation. Or, what about the many people who wandered through Tara's house? What were these people thinking? What was LE thinking to allow this?

IMO the culprit will need to admit guilt or someone would need to testify against him/her because after this long there's probably not going to be much evidence on a body. It also doesn't seem like there is much circumstantial evidence, but GBI may know better. As to WHO? Which day of the week is this? Which way is the wind blowing today?

If authorities were notified by 8:50 AM on the Monday morning that Tara didn't show up for work, how did it happen that Anita and her husband were in the house BEFORE LE came to investigate and check up on Tara to see where she was?

Also, someone stated in another area that the neighbor was requested to go over there and went ALONE.
Did he let himself in with the key or did he just knock and nobody came to the door?

Also, I'd like to clarify exactly what time did LE go to Tara's home on Monday?

Who was present at that time? IS it true that JP let the police inside using his key??????????????

[Jadedblueeyes]

Originally posted by BlkBeauty57
The GBI probably already has the results of the glove and if they are anything like the FBI- I doubt they will release what if any results they got to the public.

Especially if they got results back that implicates someone- they are still investigating-they will just add it to their arsenal of evidence to use in a prosecution.

So, they probably have the results of the glove in their possession and they probably won't release those results to the public until they get to court.

The GBI are as closed mouthed as the FBI, they do not discuss their cases, especially any evidence.

I am taken aback a little by the BIL being asked to take poly. Since the Richard Jewell fiasco they are very cautious on what they do. I don't think the BIL is involved or had an affair (I hope not) but I don't think for one second the GBI just pulled him in on whim. They would have to have something more than that. Now it may be multiple people they have talked with that are telling the same story.

Nothing will come from the GBI until an arrest is made if that ever happens. Sometimes I get the sickest feeling it will be a long, long time before Tara is found. I hope I am wrong.

IMO

Ocean

[NancynNC]

It does not make sense to me for the GBI to interview BIL for 2 hours and never ask him if he had anything to do with Tara's disappearance. What was the point in this test?? Was the GBI sending a message to BIL to back off and leave the case to them?
I sure hope they would be above all this pettiness.

At least the BIL did cooperate. MH lawyered up and took a private test.

snipped'


LARRY GATTIS, TARA GRINSTEAD'S BROTHER-IN-LAW: They asked me a lot of questions. I don't believe they ever asked me if I had hurt Tara or done anything to her. Mainly they were interested in my history, my medical history, Tara's personal medical history. They were interested in rumors that they had heard and about some sort of inappropriate affair I had had with Tara supposedly.

[NancynNC]

After reading about the medical past of BIL, the GBI may have thought that he gave Tara some drug.

http://www.medicalboard.state.ga.us/.../04-019949.pdf

Ocillian, this is sad for me to read. I wouldn't want anybody to give up or slow down a search if I was missing.

Can people form their own search parties and just walk and look?
Are people doing this, but we just don't hear about it?

[concernedperson]

Originally posted by Ocillian
Yeah you can pretty much do whatever and I've seen random groups of people throughout the week and weekends combing through the ditches and things by my house several times. But several weeks ago. For example, don't quote me on this but I believe they had only about 60 people volunteering on the last search. I'm sure they were grateful for that but the "numbers" are just way down. The Tara Command Center use to look like a family reunion gathering of LE everyday and now there's usually 1 or 2 cars (maybe 3 or 4 on the weekends) there that are for the effort. Its sad really but people have to work and carry out their lives too I guess.

The thing about forming your own searching is the fact that probably every piece of PUBLIC land has been searched and you can't just go on other people's property that easily.

Actually, I think this is a big clue in itself. Who has private land that is not searched? Why?Tara is out there somewhere.

[concernedperson]

I guess I am disappointed to learn that the search efforts so far haven't brought any resolve. I did not realize that the numbers were way down as I thought this is a real close town with tons of people searching. Mistaken!!

[grandline]

I was reading in the news about a 3 year old adopted boy somewhere south of Jesup, GA who was killed by his adoptive mother and his body was not far from they highway. His mother actually confessed pretty quickly and took authorities to the body and LE in that case admits that had she not done that, it could have been quite difficult to find the body. There is so much timberland in South GA and much of it looks pretty identical.

In this case, searchers could walk circles for hours and not even realize it unless they were very careful in marking and calculating their paths.

That, combined with the large amount of unsearched private land, is what concerns me.

[Atok]

While the highways aren't far away, the fact that her car was stored, unlocked with the seat in an position not used by her is the detail that keeps me returning to local involvment.

Does anyone know if the seat change and the car being unlocked was noted BEFORE anyone used the car, like the neighbor taking it to the carwash?

This detail matters in several theories.

Good point Atok.. I'm thinking before it went to the car wash though since they had dusted for prints already and assume they saw the position of the seat at that time. But, anything is possible at this point..

It has been stated on this message board that the neighbor was IN the car before LE was, so, if this is true, he could have inadvertently slid the seat back.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:

If the seats are electrical, the engine would have to be running in order to let the seats back, right?

But if the seat has a manual lever under or beside the seat, then it's possible that neighbor just slid it back.

But, if neighbor did not start the ignition on the day he was in the car before LE processed the car, and the seats are electrical, then the seat had to be moved BACK prior to him getting in it and it clears him of moving the seat back, see? Which is good for him, really!

I read on here that neighbor took the car on FRIDAY after it had been fingerprinted and processed by LE, which means he didn't have a REASON to turn on the ignition and crank the car before driving it to be cleaned, get my idea here? This is good for him only if the seats are electrical.

Again, if the seats are electrical, this is important because it means that the car ignition was on and there was battery power when the seat was moved back.

Since neighbor has a key, I don't know why he would START the car under the garage to just look around in it. I believe Mr. Portier probably did just look around, but did not start it at all.
Why would he do this until he drove it to the car wash?

This is a very good point for Mr. Portier if anybody would like to share that. It's in his favor here ONLY if the seats are electrical and he didn't crank it up before FRIDAY when he took it to the wash. It means he didn't move those seats during the time he took a look around in it before LE did. If this is true, then we can eliminate the doubt about whether or not he moved the seat without thinking that morning.

Please tell me somebody sees the significance in this.

So, does anybody know if he cranked it up that day he was in it before LE processed?(If it's even true that he was in there before processing?)

If he DID NOT crank the car when he got in to take a look (if he really did get in it that day) then some of us can mark this off as a question in our mind about how that seat got moved back.

We can mark him off as maybe having inadvertently moving it back witout realizing it. Electrical seats+ no crank by Mr. P=seat already back, Mr. P. could not have let it back that morning.

[NancynNC]

Originally posted by Ocillian
NancyNC,

Notice that BIL pointed out the GBI didn't question him about Tara's dissappearance THIS time. He never said they haven't questioned him about it AT ALL. He said this was the fifth time he was questioned. If someone thinks the GBI hasn't questioned him about the possibility of him doing something to Tara, that's ignorance. He should've been asked, "Has he been questioned about that at all?" I bet he has. They've(family) simply bashed the GBI and other LE, and I believe the GBI was letting them know they're still in charge. Don't let the media or anyone else fool those of you who are from out of town, its sad to say, but the "search" has just about completely vanished. When the media such as CNN or FOX rolls into town, everything catches a second wind but soon it goes back to nothing. I say this not for any other reason but to give people who are not from here, a bit of the reality of the situation.

Ocillian, Thanks so much for your input, as a local.
I am sure they have asked the BIL about her disappearance but this time they had him hooked up for a test. Why not then? I thought at first it was a message too, but after reading about the Dr.'s past history and being on probation, it changes my thoughts. IMO the GBI thinks maybe the Dr. did give a prescription or some drugs to Tara. Maybe they are looking at the angle that she may have over dosed and the Dr. knew his goose was cooked if LE found his drugs at the scene.
I do appreciate your posts.