PA-Elaine M Pierson murder

[Snoopy220]

Elaine Pierson was on a cell call when she heard a noise outside her mountain home of 5 acres with a private long drive. Her dog Radcliffe made no motion as the door was opened. Her cell phone, glasses, car keys were left with no disruption. 9 days later (2 days after PA State Police stopped their 1,000 acre canvass) an ex-lover found her body near a log along a road. I would think in Harrisburg mountains, hunters should have found Elaine's body. Too coincidental? The PA police are being very quiet in regard to Elaine's death. If police were searching for ballistic evidence, after 15 days wouldn't they have any evidence by now from Rochelle's clothing they collected? How about tracking tire tracks in the woods/mountains?

[Snoopy220]

Good news..

The woman who helped "find" her body January 7th has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, burglary and murder. Elaine was shot at close range 4 times with a Colt antique gun from her Mother's house. What amazes me is January 8th the PA State police went to Rochelle Laudenslager's and her Mother Mary's home. Why didn't Mrs Laudenslager tell the police that Rochelle brought the antique gun back to the home in a plastic bag, containing some of Elaine's blood inside? And also that her daughter went to the attic to hide it in the insulation..the same day Elaine was killed in the woods 3 miles from her beautiful home? That conversation would have saved Elaine's wonderful family in Phoenixville PA from days of agony not knowing where Elaine was, dead or alive.
Shouldn't her mother be charged with obstruction of justice and withholding evidence? This is a horrific murder. Imagine being kidnapped from your home in your pajamas at gun point.
I want to know the Mercedes fella's involvement in this. He and Rochelle were friends, and he was on the phone with Elaine when she heard the noise outside of her home. Rochelle knew it would be easy as no one lived nearby her 5 acre mountain top home. What was stolen from Elaine's home? She wasn't poor by any means, and neither was Rochelle. They were both very successful businesswomen in management. Dun and Bradstreet for Elaine.
I am glad for her friends and family that there can be some resolve to this horror.
May the court system give what Rochelle deserves....a life of horror behind bars, the death penalty they are seeking, and eternity in Hell for taking away a life so important and wonderful. Christmas at the Pierson's shall never be the same. God bless Elaine.

[packy]

How horrible. I hadn't heard about this case. Is there a trial going on now?

[Snoopy220]

Her ex lover Rochelle is to be in trial this coming Wednesday after being held in the Perry County jail. I cannot imagine how another woman could kill a woman she loved and wanted to become intimate again. I am sure Elaine found someone more stabe and intersting than Rochelle. After all, what "sane" woman clobbers her sister in the head sleeping in bed with a frying pan. Rochelle denied that action as well.
It seems to me this is the first case of a lesbian killing a former lover. It just doesn't make sense to me, unless Elaine completely denied the desire to have a relationship with this evil woman. Seems to me if Elaine heard noises outside her secluded home (no door bell use) that Rochelle planned before driving there to kidnap her in her pajamas. I can't imagine killing an animal with 4 shots, but to watch a beautiful caring giving friend die in the woods without her slippers or socks on in the bitter winter in PA deserves the death penalty.

see archives of www.whtm.com

[bchand]

This took place in my neck of the woods so I am familiar with it also.

My husband and I agree with you Snoopy that Rochelle's mother could or should be charged with something. She was well aware of Rochelle's history of violence.

btw did you read that Highmark made an announcement that Rochelle no longer works for them?

[Hbgchick]

Highmark has officially fired Rochelle and says they will work with police in any way they can. In my line of work I have often visited Highmark - it's a lovely facility and it sounds like she had a great job. This woman must be very disturbed.

Also, she (Rochelle) lives (lived) only about two miles from me! Right around the corner, literally!!

[Hbgchick]

Highmark has officially fired Rochelle and says they will work with police in any way they can. In my line of work I have often visited Highmark - it's a lovely facility and it sounds like she had a great job. This woman must be very disturbed.

Also, she (Rochelle) lives (lived) only about two miles from me! Right around the corner, literally!!

[bchand]

Originally Posted by Hbgchick

Highmark has officially fired Rochelle and says they will work with police in any way they can. In my line of work I have often visited Highmark - it's a lovely facility and it sounds like she had a great job. This woman must be very disturbed.

Also, she (Rochelle) lives (lived) only about two miles from me! Right around the corner, literally!!

is right. I wondered (before she was charged) how she could ever go back to Highmark with all that is now known about her past. Not the most stable person is she?


(I'm about 2 miles from Highmark)

[Snoopy220]

bchand:

I and a co worker can't understand how Elaine could have been overpowered by this skinny woman. I have a very fond memory of playing in the barn with Elaine way back in the 60's. She had me jumping off of hay stacks in the barn. Her home was an adventure for me, and I cringe every time I think of her suffering.

If Rochelle's Mother saw her bring the gun back in a bag, and I am sure it was not a clean bag, why did her Mother not question what that was all about. The police were at the house the next day, why didn't Mary tell them her daughter brought back the commemorative gun in a bag? Mary L ought to be charged with obstruction of justice. If this was a family heirloom, and was hard to shoot, Rochelle had such premeditation to cause harm.

Why even torture the wonderful Pierson family and friends with a trial. Rochelle should simply confess and be shot to death in the woods after being driven around for a while.

If you are familiar with the area, why wasn't her body discovered more quickly? She had a white shirt on from what I understand. Is this area secluded in the deep woods?

Does anyone know what happened to Radcliffe her beloved dog and companion?

[bchand]

Originally Posted by Snoopy220

bchand:

I and a co worker can't understand how Elaine could have been overpowered by this skinny woman. I have a very fond memory of playing in the barn with Elaine way back in the 60's. She had me jumping off of hay stacks in the barn. Her home was an adventure for me, and I cringe every time I think of her suffering.

If Rochelle's Mother saw her bring the gun back in a bag, and I am sure it was not a clean bag, why did her Mother not question what that was all about. The police were at the house the next day, why didn't Mary tell them her daughter brought back the commemorative gun in a bag? Mary L ought to be charged with obstruction of justice. If this was a family heirloom, and was hard to shoot, Rochelle had such premeditation to cause harm.

Why even torture the wonderful Pierson family and friends with a trial. Rochelle should simply confess and be shot to death in the woods after being driven around for a while.

If you are familiar with the area, why wasn't her body discovered more quickly? She had a white shirt on from what I understand. Is this area secluded in the deep woods?

Does anyone know what happened to Radcliffe her beloved dog and companion?

As far as being overpowered, I think a gun is a great equalizer. I don't think she left in her PJ's voluntarily. IIRC she wasn't deep in the woods when the killer happened along with a group of her friends to find her. If this area had been searched before, there's a possibility she was moved? I read somewhere that LE is still looking at someone else as a possible accomplice?

The good thing about this area is that it won't be drug out like so many of the cases we see on Court TV. We should know the whole story soon.

[WordsMatter]

Article with details...

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2...ws/news274.prt

[Serendipitous1]

Originally Posted by WordsMatter

Article with details...

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2...ws/news274.prt

Excellent article, WM: [Perry County DA] "Chenot said authorities will continue to investigate whether there were other people involved in the murder. [Pierson's friend Antonio] Mercede, who reported her missing, has been interviewed and may be again, he said. Police have 'at least a half-dozen, maybe more' people they want to interview again, Chenot said. 'It would not surprise me at all if (Mercede's) name is on that list.'”

bchand and Snoopy, based on earlier published articles: The initial search started around Pierson's home. Helicopter searches were made on Sat/Sun (Dec 30/31). The official ground search widened on Wed/Thur (Jan 3/4) but still concentrated on the woods closer to Pierson's home [apparently not spreading quite far enough south and west]. It rained hard most of the day on Fri. The private search party went out on Sat morning. The location where they discovered Pierson's body was down a steep road embankment, about 3 miles southwest of Pierson's home, on Blue Mountain and just barely in Perry County.

It is curious that the helicopter search failed to find her. But based on what information has been released so far, it appears that Pierson was kidnapped at gunpoint, driven to this isolated location (in the mountains, avoiding Marysville), killed there, and that the murder weapon was taken to Gratz - all on Wed night, Dec 27.

[Snoopy220]

I read her lawyer is looking at Rochelle's doctor's visiting record as Rochelle claims she was at the doctors on the 27th. However she still had the gun, so where is her lawyer going with this angle? Maybe that Mercede fella was in on it with her. I recall reading that Elaine called him. Is that correct?
Maybe the both of them moved her body. The police have not released if they found any evidence in both of Rochelle's cars. I understand her preliminary has been delayed. Anyone there know when it is rescheduled to?

[Serendipitous1]

Originally Posted by Snoopy220

I read her lawyer is looking at Rochelle's doctor's visiting record as Rochelle claims she was at the doctors on the 27th. However she still had the gun, so where is her lawyer going with this angle? Maybe that Mercede fella was in on it with her. I recall reading that Elaine called him. Is that correct?
Maybe the both of them moved her body. The police have not released if they found any evidence in both of Rochelle's cars. I understand her preliminary has been delayed. Anyone there know when it is rescheduled to?

I suspect LE has to come up with a time line. It would not bode well if Rochelle was sitting in a doctor's office when she was supposedly doing something else. "Mercede has not wanted to comment about the case, but his sister, Marianne Cowden, has said her brother was the person believed to have spoken to Pierson in her last known conversation the night of Dec. 27."
http://www.pennlive.com/search/index...ennnews&coll=1

"A preliminary hearing scheduled today for Rochelle Laudenslager has been postponed until March...now scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 7."

http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2...ws/news223.txt

[Serendipitous1]

First link got screwed up somehow. Try:
http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/...380.xml&coll=1

[Snoopy220]

Serendipitous1:

Ok, so she was at the doctor's office. How did the killer get her family's commemorative gun, and what time did she go to her Mother's home in Gratz with the spent gun in the plastic bag? Is that nearby to where Rochelle or Blue Mountain is?
I guess it would not surprise me if Mercede and she were in this together, but I still cannot comprehend how a woman could be involved in such a horrific crime. I understand Elaine had defensive wounds, and I am sure attempted to run away. I pray she did not suffer.

[Serendipitous1]

Originally Posted by Snoopy220

Serendipitous1:

Ok, so she was at the doctor's office. How did the killer get her family's commemorative gun, and what time did she go to her Mother's home in Gratz with the spent gun in the plastic bag? Is that nearby to where Rochelle or Blue Mountain is?
I guess it would not surprise me if Mercede and she were in this together, but I still cannot comprehend how a woman could be involved in such a horrific crime. I understand Elaine had defensive wounds, and I am sure attempted to run away. I pray she did not suffer.

I do not believe the doctor's appointment (or whether she kept it) has been confirmed yet, only that that was her statement to police and they are checking it out. Looking at a road map, one could easily continue south, down Blue Mountain, then east on Wertzville Road to get to I-81 and across the river. Perhaps not coincidentally, that is the way to Rochelle's home and to Gratz (both in Dauphin County). It remains to be seen why LE appears to be interested in Mercede in connection with Elaine's death, although recent news articles have raised some issues concerning him. All just my opinion.

[Snoopy220]

I googled and found that Rochelle broke in to the home. Premeditation here we go. And she took the gun from her Mother's home. Burglary.
Where does Mercede live? Is it close to Elaine or Rochelle. I understand they all knew each other.
If Elaine and Rochelle hadn't physically connected but via the phone, what would inspire someone to go to such drastic measures? I still cannot understand this. I see she was a troubled woman (after clobbering her sister in the head with a frying pan while she slept in Reno..and Rochelle was committed to a State Hospital..and was released).
Good thing she's behind bars.
Does anyone know what happened to Elaine's dog Radcliffe? I love that name.

[Serendipitous1]

Pierson lived just west of Marysville and her body was reportedly found near the intersection of Idle and Lambs Gap Roads. Laudenslager lives in the Harrisburg area and her mother in Gratz. Mercede apparently lives with his sister in the Mechanicsburg area. The addresses can all be found online. In checking an online travel guide, I found out the following:

All except Laudenslager's mother lived within about a half hour's drive of each other. From Pierson's home, west to Lambs Gap Road, then south to Idle Road, is about 3.5 miles or less than a 10 minute drive.

From Idle & Lambs Gap Roads, the quickest route to Laudenslager's home is to continue south, down Blue Mountain, then east to pick up I-81 (about 16 miles or less than half an hour's drive). From there it is about 42 miles or an hour's drive to Gratz. From Idle & Lambs Gap Roads, the quickest route directly to Gratz is also south, down Blue Mountain, and east to pick up I-81 (about 43 miles or an hour's drive).

Inerestingly, from Idle & Lambs Gap Roads, the quickest route to Mercede's sister's home is also to continue south, down Blue Mountain (about 7 miles or a 15 minute drive).

[Serendipitous1]

Magisterial District Judge, Docket Entries:

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/PublicR...207:16:04%20PM

[bchand]

Originally Posted by Serendipitous1

Magisterial District Judge, Docket Entries:

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/PublicR...207:16:04%20PM

Thanks Serendipitous - you sure are thorough.. Hope you are around for this trial.

[Sunny71]

Just a quick note for Snoopy220 . . .

One of your entrees you had questioned about Radcliffe's care.
Last I heard he was staying with neighbors and doing fine.

I am still amazed every day when I google Elaine's name that something like this happened. I know justice will prevail.

[Serendipitous1]

Anyone familiar with "The Work of Byron Katie"...beyond what is on the website? When Laudenslager offered to be a "facilitator" last April, her profile included:

Q - Issues where The Work has been helpful in your life or in working with clients?
A - Family issues; Health issues; Relationship issues; Success and failure; Weight, diet or body image; Work place issues [emphasis added].

Q - Any other personal comments that you care to make about The Work and how it affects your life?
A - The Work continues to reveal all answers/wisdom within- working with the true self, not against. As my mind continues to meet itself with understanding, open to seeing alternatives, I notice how a false belief gradually holds less power, unravels and falls away.

http://www.thework.com/network/profi...ch_results.cfm

Guess "The Work" did not work very well for her! Just my opinion.

[Snoopy220]

Sunny71:

I am still amazed something like this could happen to such a wonderful person. Her family is a very close family, and this is devastating.
I know when I googled Rochelle and read your responses she is a very angry, troubled woman.
I am so glad Radcliffe is in good hands.
I still don't understand what would possess someone to do this to someone she cared about, and wanted to rekindle the flame.
It is my hope that Betty L gets cited for withholding information, obstruction of justice.
How would this fella know to report her missing? I thought he had been away for a year in cancer treatment, and is living with his sister.
Seren..I cannot get the link to the court website.

[Serendipitous1]

Originally Posted by Snoopy220

<Snip>
Seren..I cannot get the link to the court website.

You will need Adobe Reader to view the docket sheets. But I just tried to do it again (using the link and by re-searching), and you are right - the docket sheet does not come up, though I was able to retrieve it through my own site history (which I realize does you no good). I have found this site can be fickle at times. The only advice I can offer is to try the link again later, or search the Public Web Docket Sheets yourself at Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System...starting here:
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/WebDock...ketSheets.aspx

In any event, for high profile cases I have found there is usually little information of particular interest on the docket sheets beyond that which is reported in the news media. In fact, the news media reported on Laudenslager's continued preliminary hearing well before it got posted at PUJS.

[WordsMatter]

I can get to the court website but I can't click on the docket #'s. I see previous listings from 8/23/02, 01/20/05, 02/07/06??? Can anyone view what these were for?

[Sunny71]

I am very perplexed about this entire case. From the first day that I heard Elaine was missing, to today. Nothing makes sense. . . . Nothing . . . .

I have only met Elaine one time, a few years ago. But most of my friends have known her for quite sometime. Elaine is the only person, I have known to have a violent crime/attack against her. She was a great person that was kind/friendly to everybody. But, one person in Elaine's life had the power to change her destiny . . .

I too, thought that Betty L. was going to be charged with something?! Maybe she still will? And I'm not too sure what Tony M. has to do with all this????

I'm sure with time, we will learn all the details that happened.
We will probably never learn WHY though . . .

[Hbgchick]

I am very interested in this case as well. I did not know Elaine personally but know people who did, and it's just very sad.

[Serendipitous1]

Originally Posted by Serendipitous1

Magisterial District Judge, Docket Entries:

http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/PublicR...207:16:04%20PM

Link to Perry County criminal docket (above) appears to be working again. Also (to be thorough), link to Dauphin County arraignment:
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/PublicR...205:56:20%20PM

Hbgchick, your box is full over at that other site. You must be popular... and/or blonde, LOL!

[Snoopy220]

Serendip..

No matter what I do I cannot bring up docket cr-0000027-07. I have acrobat reader. Any way you or anyone can e-mail me the docket to Lizout@aol.com.

Thank you for your time.

[Hbgchick]

Originally Posted by Serendipitous1

Link to Perry County criminal docket (above) appears to be working again. Also (to be thorough), link to Dauphin County arraignment:
http://ujsportal.pacourts.us/PublicR...205:56:20%20PM

Hbgchick, your box is full over at that other site. You must be popular... and/or blonde, LOL!

Lol...not blonde! Just had a bunch of old RG stuff I needed to clear out. Sorry 'bout that - it's open now!

[Serendipitous1]

Police search murder suspect's bank records:
http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnews..._suspects.html

Was it a crime of passion? Call it what it is:
http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/...100.xml&coll=1

Somewhat interesting blog:
http://www.pennlive.com/forums/perry...link?artid=668

[Serendipitous1]

Video of Laudenslager's arraignment:
http://www.whtm.com/news/stories/0207/397802.html

[Serendipitous1]

Originally Posted by WordsMatter

I can get to the court website but I can't click on the docket #'s. I see previous listings from 8/23/02, 01/20/05, 02/07/06??? Can anyone view what these were for?

Those were traffic related offenses.

[Serendipitous1]

"Authorities now say Elaine Pierson was afraid of Rochelle Laudenslager and refused to bail her out of jail when Laudenslager was arrested in Nevada in October."
http://www.cumberlink.com/articles/2...ws/news103.txt

[Serendipitous1]

I know there was a service, but does anyone know anything about a more permanent memorial? In a brief obituary which appeared in The Phoenix on Jan. 10, it was said that contributions could be made to the Elaine Pierson Memorial at Rye Township, Marysville, Pa. 17053. The obituary is not archived at PhoenixvilleNews.com, but it can still be found by googling: > "Elaine Pierson Memorial" < and clicking on the cached version.

[Snoopy220]

Memorials in her honor were requested by the family to be donated to the Methodist Church in Phoenixville where Elaine still held her membership.
From what I read in her obit, she also worked for Rye Township.
Is there a nature trail there? I live near the Norristown Fram Park where people donate money in memory of someone and either have a tree planted with a placard with the person's name, or a park bench. Maybe you friends out there could organize a drive to collect money and have a tree planted or something to demonstrate the goodness of Elaine, and the trajic loss of her life.
So Rochelle had all this planned, and Elaine knew Rochelle was a troubled individual. I would bet that Elaine never planned on the meeting the 27th, but it was all in Rochelle's sick head. Does anyone know how she broke in, as her family has told others there was no "break-in"?
If Betty L saw her daughter crying she should have suspected something was amiss, and did she question her on the use of the gun? I guess she'll have to testify against her daughter, along with her sister. How sad.

[Serendipitous1]

Originally Posted by Snoopy220

<Snips> From what I read in her obit, she also worked for Rye Township. Is there a nature trail there? I live near the Norristown Fram Park where people donate money in memory of someone and either have a tree planted with a placard with the person's name, or a park bench. Maybe you friends out there could organize a drive to collect money and have a tree planted or something to demonstrate the goodness of Elaine, and the trajic loss of her life.:

Her obituary said Elaine had served as a member of the Rye Township Park and Recreation Committee, so maybe there will be something along the lines you suggest. Rye Township Parks and Recreation:
http://www.ryetwp.com/per-rye/site/default.asp

<Snip> Does anyone know how [Rochelle] broke in, as her family has told others there was no "break-in"?

Perhaps you are confusing burglary with breaking and entering. The charge in the UJS Docket cites the statute which defines burglary. "A person is guilty of burglary if he enters a building or occupied structure, or separately secured or occupied portion thereof, with intent to commit a crime therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the actor is licensed or privileged to enter."
http://members.aol.com/StatutesPA/18.Cp.35.html

[Snoopy220]

No, I am very well aware of the difference. My question again is...how did Rochelle get in to the house? Elaine's parents have said there was no break in.
There has so far been $2100 raised in Elaine's memory for a walk in Rye Park.
There is a meeting soon to discuss her memorial.

[Serendipitous1]

Originally Posted by Snoopy220

No, I am very well aware of the difference. My question again is...how did Rochelle get in to the house? Elaine's parents have said there was no break in.
There has so far been $2100 raised in Elaine's memory for a walk in Rye Park.
There is a meeting soon to discuss her memorial.

Great news about the memorial, Snoopy. If I had to guess, Elaine might well have let her in. My only reason for saying that though is an early article where it was reported that wine glasses were among the items taken from her home for forensic testing.
http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/...380.xml&coll=1