Kelsey Smith - Overland Park, KS, Missing

[One2Snoop]

Police: Arrest Made In Kelsey Smith Homicide
Teen's Body Found In Wooded Area Near Grandview

POSTED: 11:22 am CDT June 6, 2007
UPDATED: 12:15 am CDT June 7, 2007OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- An arrest has been made in the homicide investigation of 18-year-old Kelsey Smith, whose body was found Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Edwin R. Hall, 26, of Olathe, is being held in the Johnson County Jail in connection with the slaying of Smith, Overland Park Police Chief John Douglass said.

Douglass said Hall will be charged with first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping charges on Thursday.

Police would not elaborate on evidence in the case, but Douglass said Hall is believed to be the person of interest that was seen on surveillance video at the Target store where Smith was abducted.

Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline said it was premeditated murder and is requesting a $5 million bond for Hall.

"We are very pleased that an arrest has been made in this case," said Greg Smith, Kelsey's father.

"We can't give them their daughter back -- we can at least give them justice," Douglass said.

Douglass said a tip from the public led to the arrest of Hall. Police said Hall was questioned on Wednesday afternoon and was arrested a few hours later.

Police said Edwin R. Hall, 26, of Olathe, was taken into custody in the case.

Police have also located the pickup truck seen on surveillance video, which was in Hall's possession, Douglass said.

snip
http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/...l.html?cnn=yes

[One2Snoop]

Posted on Thu, Jun. 07, 2007 Suspect arrested in Kan. teen's death
By MARIA SUDEKUM FISHER
Associated Press Writer

Charlie Riedel
snip...

Authorities said 18-year-old Kelsey Smith's body was found across the state line at a lake in Grandview, Mo.

Overland Park Police Chief John Douglass identified the suspect as Edwin R. Hall, 26, of Olathe. He was expected to be charged Thursday with premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Douglass said Hall was interviewed Wednesday after police acted on a tip that matched Hall and a vehicle to surveillance video from the Target store parking lot where Smith was abducted Saturday evening.

snip
http://www.kansascity.com/449/story/138585.html

[accordn2me]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...1&cat=breaking

[One2Snoop]

Man charged with abducting, killing teenager
Police say tip led to arrest of 26-year-old in slaying of Kelsey Smith

AP
Edwin Roy Hall in a booking photo provided by the Johnson County (Kan.) Sheriff's Office, and released on Thursday. Hall, 26, has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the death of Kelsey Smith, 18, whose body was found Wednesday.
Suspect held
June 7: A man has been arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Kansas teenager Kelsey Smith. NBC News' Ron Mott reports.


Updated: 1 hour, 58 minutes ago
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - A man videotaped leaving a store shortly before a teenager was abducted in the parking lot was charged with murder Thursday, authorities said.

Edwin R. Hall, 26, was accused of premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the death of 18-year-old Kelsey Smith, the Johnson County Court Web site said. Bond was set at $5 million. He was due in court later Thursday.

Hall, who was being held in a jail in nearby Gardner, was expected to appear in court later Thursday by closed-circuit video, said Brian Burgess, spokesman for the Johnson County district attorney’s office.

snip
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19065065/?gt1=10056

Booking photo

[One2Snoop]

These charges are ridiculous for such a henious crime - I think he deserves the death penalty. Does Kansas even have the DP?

Edwin R. Hall Appears in Johnson County Court
June 7, 2007 11:57 AM PDT
Charges Filed Against Edwin R. Hall

Complaint - Edwin R. Hall (.pdf)
http://kctv.images.worldnow.com/imag..._complaint.pdf


By MARIA SUDEKUM FISHER
Associated Press Writer

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) -- A man seen on surveillance video leaving a store shortly before a teenager was abducted in the parking lot was charged Thursday, a day after her body was found in a wooded area, authorities said.

Edwin R. Hall, 26, was charged with premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping, according to the Johnson County Court Web site. Bond was set at $5 million.

Hall, looking tired and downcast, appeared Thursday in Johnson County Court via video feed from a jail in Gardner. He waived reading of the charges until he can hire his own attorney. His next appearance was scheduled for June 14.

If convicted, Hall faces a minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the murder charge and more than 12 years for aggravated kidnapping, said Brian Burgess, spokesman for the Johnson County district attorney's office.
http://www.kctv5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6606183

[One2Snoop]

It appears Kansas does have the DP although no ones been executed since 1976.

Kansas. Capital murder with 8 aggravating circumstances (KSA 21-3439).

Kansas- aggravating circumstances

(1)The murder was especially heinous, atrocious, cruel, or depraved (or involved torture)
(2) The defendant knowingly created a grave risk of death for one or more persons in addition to the victim of the offense
(3) The murder was committed for pecuniary gain or pursuant to an agreement that the defendant would receive something of value
(4) The defendant caused or directed another to commit murder, or the defendant procured the commission of the offense by payment, promise of payment, or anything of pecuniary value
(5) The murder was committed to avoid or prevent arrest, to effect an escape, or to conceal the commission of a crime
(6) The defendant has been convicted of, or committed, a prior murder, a felony involving violence, or other serious felony
(7) The murder was committed by a person who is incarcerated, has escaped, is on probation, is in jail, or is under a sentence of imprisonment
(8)The murder was committed against a witness in a criminal or civil proceeding to prevent the witness from appearing

State Abbreviation KS
State Name Kansas
Death Penalty? Yes
Number of Executions Since 1976 0
Number of Executions before 1976 57
Current Death Row Population 9
Women on Death Row 0
Date Death Penalty Re-enacted 04-22-1994
1st Execution After Re-enactment 0
Murder Rate (per 100,000) 3.7
Is Life Without Parole an Option? Yes
Can a defendant get death for a felony in which s/he was not responsible for the murder? Yes
Number of Innocent Persons Freed From Death Row 0
Number of Clemencies Granted 0
Region Midwest
Method Injection
How is the Sentence Determined? Jury
Location of Death Row(s) El Dorado (Women: Topeka)
Clemency Process Governor has sole authority to grant clemency

http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/state/

[One2Snoop]

Jun 4, 2007 10:57 PM

Parents question connection between missing teens
Posted By: Paige Heyward

BELTON, Mo. – A month ago Monday, another teenager went missing from Belton High School. And now, new details in the case of Kelsey Smith have Kara Kopetsky’s parents curious about a possible connection.
Police have not drawn a connection, but Kopetsky’s parents say there are too many similarities in the cases to believe it is just a coincidence.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them and we know what they're going through,” Kopetsky’s parents said.

On May 4th, Kopetesky, 17, went missing. “There's been no contact she hasn't called there's been no bank activity,” her mother, Rhonda Beckford said.

Last Saturday, Kelsey Smith, 18, was abducted from an Overland Park Target store. Both teenage girls have brown hair and brown eyes.

The Beckford’s are following Kelsey’s case, hoping it will lead to answers in Kopetsky’s investigation.

“It's almost one month to the day that Kara came up missing that Kelsey came up missing,” her stepfather James Beckford said.

“They said it was abnormal for that to happen. They said she has no reason to leave or runaway. Kara had no reason to leave or runaway,” Rhonda Beckford said.

snip
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/lo...e-46e01c974c52

Kara Kopetsky


Find Kara website....
http://www.findkarakopetsky.com/

Another girl went missing about a month ago, 7 miles from where Keslsey's body was found. The girl was the same age, and had the same color hair as Kelsey. Perhaps Hall is responsible for her disappearance too.

IMO

[Luke Davis]

Originally Posted by BrookLyn

Hi Paula! How are you today?

Are you speaking of Kara Kopetsky? Her parents have stepped forward and said they think there are too many similarities for it to be coincidence. I happen to agree. JMO.

Maybe they should search that field completely.

[One2Snoop]

Originally Posted by Luke Davis

Maybe they should search that field completely.

I agree. It's been awhile since I've been to that area but IIRC the area Kelsey was found in is rather large. I believe its several hundred acres.

[One2Snoop]

Jun 7, 2007 10:52 PM

More learned about Kelsey Smith's accused murderer
Posted By: Almitra Smith

OLATHE, Kan. – Thursday afternoon the man accused of kidnapping and murdering Kelsey Smith made his first court appearance.
Police said Edwin R. Hall followed and abducted Kelsey in an Overland Park, Kan., Target parking lot and killed her. Her body was found four days later in a field in Grandview, Mo.

Many of his neighbors said they were shocked that the married man who has one child has been charged with kidnapping and murder.

On neighbor said he spoke with Hall regularly because they both liked cars.

"His son was over here Tuesday playing and I never had any reason to suspect anything," said Cameron Migues.

But, after seeing surveillance video on the news he decided to call the police.

"It was just like…it was too much of a coincidence…where, like I said, I felt if I didn't call I wouldn't be doing what I was supposed to be doing," said Migues. "I had to call and just take the chance."

Mobile crime labs now fill the quiet neighborhood as the search for evidence centers in Hall's Olathe, Kan., home. Hall's bond is set for $5 million and District Attorney Phill Kline said more charges could follow.

"We will sit down and look at where the evidence best matches the elements, and if we believe the crime is severe enough, and we do in this instance, we will go to the jurisdiction that provides the severest penalty."

He said that includes the death penalty. (I certainly hope so!)

snip

Hall's page on MySpace.com provides some unusual details about his interests and personality. He goes by the name Jack and refers to himself as a "sweet troubled soul."

Snip

http://www.nbcactionnews.com/news/lo...9-b6b5d2184573

[One2Snoop]

Jun 7, 2007 10:52 PM

Neighbors of suspect talk about his wife, son

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) - Neighbors of the man now charged with kidnapping and killing Kelsey Smith are stunned that the man they know could have committed such a crime.

Edwin Hall, 26, is due in Johnson County District Court this afternoon for arraignment on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.

But neighbors say Hall, his wife and their 4-year-old son were not trouble-makers. A former neighbor of the Halls in Kansas City says they were "a nice young family." At their current home in Olathe, Cameron Migues says his nextdoor neighbor seemed like a nice, normal guy.

Migues says his three children often played with Hall's boy, adding that he thinks Hall had worked in restaurants in the past and was now employed at a warehouse.
http://www.nbcactionnews.com/mostpop...e-43446f6793c0

[One2Snoop]

Was suspect in Kan. teen’s killing on MySpace?
Bizarre claims on Web site include fondnesss for ‘eating small children’

AP
Edwin Roy Hall, 26, has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the death of Kelsey Smith, 18, whose body was found Wednesday.
View related photos

NBC News video


Suspect in Kan. murder a family man
June 8: NBC's Ron Mott reports on Edwin Hall, who has been charged with the murder of Kansas 18-year-old Kelsey Smith.

Updated: 34 minutes ago
OLATHE, Kan. - He calls himself “Jack” and considers himself a “Sweet Troubled Soul” on his MySpace page. His interests include “eating small children and harming small animals.”

The page appears to belong to Edwin R. Hall, the man accused of kidnapping 18-year-old Kelsey Smith and killing her, lending disturbing significance to the bizarre claims in light of the charges against him.

The Johnson County District Attorney’s office said Friday that Smith was strangled with a ligature, though spokesman Brian Burgess would not say exactly what was used.

snip
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19107235/

[One2Snoop]

Picture Emerging of Suspect in Kelsey Smith Abduction, Slaying
June 8, 2007 07:29 AM
By CARYN GRANT
Associated Press Writer

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) -- A man with a page on the popular Internet networking site MySpace.com bears a striking resemblance to Edwin R. Hall, the man accused of kidnapping and killing a teenager, and describes his interests as "eating small children and harming small animals."

The man said his favorite movies are "anything that pushes the envalope, A clockwork Orange, Srangeland and lets not forget horror movies!!!! yea scary (or cheesy)like."

He uses only the name "Jack," which Hall is known by to neighbors. The person on the MySpace page also uses the same age and location as Hall, and a person with the same name as his wife, Aletha, has a page linked to "Jack's" profile.

snip

http://www.kctv5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6628674

[imanewsjunkie]

What a sicko. Will they be able to track whose profiles he visited on MySpace?

[One2Snoop]

Originally Posted by imanewsjunkie

What a sicko. Will they be able to track whose profiles he visited on MySpace?

I would assume so. Forensic techs can do amazing things with your hard drive these days.

[Guy_in_Georgia]

By JOHN MILBURN
Associated Press Writer

A man accused of kidnapping and killing a suburban Kansas City teenager pleaded no contest as a 15-year-old to threatening his sister at knifepoint, according to court records.

A judge ordered Hall removed from his home after he entered the plea to aggravated assault in May 1996, and he was placed in state custody, the court records state. A second charge of making a criminal threat was dismissed.

Hall's parents, Carol and Don Hall, of Emporia, didn't immediately return a call Friday. Carol Hall told The Emporia Gazette for Friday's editions that the couple adopted Edwin Hall when he was 7 and knew he had problems associated with his early childhood. Court records show the boy ran afoul of police several times before the attack on his sister, who a biological child of the couple, though the earlier offenses were nonviolent.

Carol Hall told the paper the boy did something when he was 15 that made the couple feel he was a danger to the family, which included three biological daughters. She did not provide details but said the couple felt they would have to give up on him. "That was the last time he was in our home," Carol Hall told the newspaper. The Halls hoped then that someone would be able "to get him the help that he needed," she said.

Hall was confined in four facilities from 1996 until 1999, according to the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority.

http://www.bradenton.com/439/story/69227.html

[One2Snoop]

Thanks for posting the article Guy in Georgia. Wow thats scary. It makes you wonder what his married life was like?

[accordn2me]

Originally Posted by One2Snoop

Thanks for posting the article Guy in Georgia. Wow thats scary. It makes you wonder what his married life was like?

Is his wife in seclusion? I hope she gets some help.

It's too bad scum like this Jack don't have the guts to take themselves out when they realize they are "sweet troubled souls" that like to eat small children and harm small animals. SICKO FREAK!

[Guy_in_Georgia]

Iva Rath of Sioux City said Hall briefly dated her teenage daughter. She said the two broke up after Hall admitted he was married and had a 2-year-old child.

Rath said her daughter met Hall at a Sioux City shopping center. She said he was working for a cabinet-making company in Sergeant Bluff and was living with a friend at a Sioux City motel.

"He was friendly and outgoing," she said, but Hall also acted kind of nervous, "kind of twitchy like a lot of young people are."

She said he practiced paganism and had pagan-related drawings written on black paper with silver ink.

Hall told her he was from Walthill, that he was raised by his grandmother, and that his mother lived in Wichita, Rath said.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pb...0325/-1/NEWS04

[Guy_in_Georgia]

Trouble seemed to dog Edwin Roy Hall as he grew from child to adult. Hall, accused of kidnapping and murdering 18-year-old Kelsey Smith of Overland Park, had been in the custody of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services when, at 7, he was adopted by an Emporia family.

Juvenile and civil court records available show accusations of temporary deprivation of property, theft, aggravated assault and a civil suit alleging an attack on a younger boy.

According to case records available, Hall was 14 years old when he was charged on Dec. 2, 1994, in juvenile court with temporary deprivation of property, a 1984 Chevy van.

On June 23, 1995, Hall was charged with two counts of theft — $25 in cash and a microcassette tape recorder.

On May 22, 1996, Hall’s charges reached felony level with accusations of aggravated assault and criminal threat.

The aggravated assault happened on May 14, 1996, when he allegedly “unlawfully and intentionally place(d) another person ... in reasonable apprehension of immediate bodily harm and said act was committed with a deadly weapon, to-wit: a knife...”

He also was accused of communicating “a threat to commit violence with the intent to terrorize another” in conjunction with the aggravated assault.

The criminal threat case was dropped as a result of plea negotiations, and Hall pleaded no contest to the aggravated assault.

The late Magistrate Judge Francis Towle found Hall to be a juvenile offender, and ordered him to be returned to the northeast Kansas Regional Detention Facility in Lawrence until he could be placed by SRS.

In July 1996, Hall was transferred from Forbes Juvenile Attention Facility in Topeka to Larned Youth Center in Larned for a direct commitment, according to court records.

He escaped from the Comprehensive Evaluation and Training Unit (CETU) in Topeka on April 25, 1997. The request for an arrest warrant that had been made was cancelled and Hall apparently was returned.

He remained confined until a conditional release on March 9, 1999, from the Topeka Juvenile Correction Facility and formally discharged on June 30, 1999.

http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/2...venile_record/

[Guy_in_Georgia]

KANSAS CITY (AP) - Kelsey Smith, the 18-year-old woman abducted from a Target store parking lot, was likely strangled to death shortly after she was kidnapped, Overland Park, Kan., Police Chief John Douglass said.

"That seems to be the most logical conclusion," Douglass said yesterday.

Smith, 18, was abducted from the parking lot in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City, about 7 p.m. June 2. Her body was found in a wooded area 20 miles east of the abduction site Wednesday afternoon.

Police were guided to the area where her body was found by signals from her cell phone. The last signal from Smith’s cell phone was registered at about 7:56 p.m. June 2, Douglass said. Her car was then caught on surveillance video returning to the Target store parking lot at about 9:17 p.m.

"So it makes no sense that she would have been taken back there twice," Douglass said of the area where her body was found. "Our best guess is that she was taken out there and that then she was killed shortly thereafter."

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/...610News021.asp

When I first saw the videos of the killer's truck racing behind the Target and then around to the front parking lot and into the lane where Kelsey parked, I had a momentary gut feeling that this may have been an act of Road Rage. I'm beginning to feel that's a strong possibility in this case.

I believe the killer rushed into the store to see if Kelsey brought someone with her, or if she was meeting up with someone inside the store.

Looling at the history of this killer, being adopted out of a juvenile facility when he was 7, the apparent suppressed rage threatening one of the daughters with a knife, then his adoptive parents actually putting him back into the system speaks volumes. Previous articles point out how especially loving the adoptive family is, and for them to not wanting anything to do with him is significant.

Also, the amount of time between the kidnapping at 7:10 PM, the driving out 20 miles, then the return trip of 20 miles to leave Kelsey's car in the Macy's parking lot points to a quick sequence of events. The above article says that there was a video showing her car being returned at 9:17 PM.... I wish they would release that video. I haven't seen it. I don't believe it's clear as to when the car was returned to Macy's, we haven't heard of any video showing him leaving it there until the above article. All we know is that Kelsey's parents discovered it at 09:30 PM.

The killer may have strangled Kelsey in the parking lot of that store, out of an act of road rage from something that happened on the way. It would be interesting to know if there were any witnesses that may have seen any confrontation between Kelsey and the killer on the way to the store.

[One2Snoop]

Originally Posted by BrookLyn

That's a very interesting theory, GNG. It's also the only thing I've seen that might provide a motive. That's the one thing that's been bothering me so much about this case. Why? Why would this guy pick this young girl out, kidnap her and just kill her? What's with that? Was this just a thrill kill? I think you may be onto something with the road rage angle. Thanks for posting your thoughts. JMVHO

You know the road rage theory could be it - but I still wonder about the other missing girl Kara Kopetsky. From my understanding she was walking outside her high school when she disappeared. I still wonder if he's connected to her disappearance in some way?

Originally Posted by Guy_in_Georgia

By JOHN MILBURN
Associated Press Writer

A man accused of kidnapping and killing a suburban Kansas City teenager pleaded no contest as a 15-year-old to threatening his sister at knifepoint, according to court records.

A judge ordered Hall removed from his home after he entered the plea to aggravated assault in May 1996, and he was placed in state custody, the court records state. A second charge of making a criminal threat was dismissed.

Hall's parents, Carol and Don Hall, of Emporia, didn't immediately return a call Friday. Carol Hall told The Emporia Gazette for Friday's editions that the couple adopted Edwin Hall when he was 7 and knew he had problems associated with his early childhood. Court records show the boy ran afoul of police several times before the attack on his sister, who a biological child of the couple, though the earlier offenses were nonviolent.

Carol Hall told the paper the boy did something when he was 15 that made the couple feel he was a danger to the family, which included three biological daughters. She did not provide details but said the couple felt they would have to give up on him. "That was the last time he was in our home," Carol Hall told the newspaper. The Halls hoped then that someone would be able "to get him the help that he needed," she said.

Hall was confined in four facilities from 1996 until 1999, according to the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority.

http://www.bradenton.com/439/story/69227.html

Hi Guy!

If it's true that Kelsey was murdered quickly, and if there is no evidence of a sexual attack, I wonder if Kelsey resembled the biological daughter of the Hall's whom he attacked, which caused him to be ousted from the family residence? The reason I say this is because Kara Kopetsky, who disappeared within 7 miles of where Kelsey's body was found, is said to have been the same age and have the same color hair (and eye too, IIRC) as Kelsey.

IMO

Originally Posted by BrookLyn

Paula,

Another good point. I hadn't even made that association but you may be right. This is just so weird. There doesn't appear to be a sexual motive which is something you come to expect in these types of cases. Why? Why would he just abduct and kill this young girl? It's just too horrible and senseless to imagine, IMO. And, you are right, the color of the girls hair and eyes are similar. Both were beautiful young girls. I just don't know, but you and GNG bring up some very good points. JMVHO.

My heart is broken for these families.

For Kelsey

For Kara

I'm so very sorry for you, Kelsey. I hold out hope for you Kara!

May God take care of all those who have been taken so senselessly from the life they were meant to live.

If Hall is also responsible for Kara's disappearance (which he might very well be), and if they indeed were the same age, and shared the same hair and eye color, then I would be more inclined to believe the girls reminded Hall of someone who is at the center of his rage than it being a case of road rage in Kelsey's case. I don't believe in coincidence where crimes are involved.

If Hall is responsible for both, and it is revealed they were both sexually assaulted, then it might be that he prefers the features common to both girls. However, I still wonder if there is any similarity in the features of the Hall's daughter and these girls. I also wonder what Hall's biological mother looks like and if he knew her identity.

IMO

[One2Snoop]

Police Consider Possible Links Between Missing Belton Teen, Slain Teen

June 8, 2007 03:21 PM PDT
Associated Links
FindKaraKopetsky.com

By MARIA SUDEKUM FISHER
Associated Press Writer

BELTON, Mo. (AP) -- Authorities investigating the murder of Kelsey Smith, the 18-year-old woman who was abducted from a Target store parking lot and found dead three days later, have also been looking into the disappearance of a Belton teenager who was last seen more than a month ago.

No link has been established between the disappearance of Smith and that of Kara Kopetsky, 17, who was last seen at Belton High School, blocks from her home, on the morning of May 4.

But Belton police Capt. Don Spears said two Belton detectives are assigned to work with investigators on the Smith case.

He said Belton police were examining evidence at the home of Edwin R. Hall, 26, who was charged Thursday with kidnap and murder in Smith's death and is being held on $5 million bond. Belton police were also considering an additional search of the wooded area where Smith's body was found, which is about six miles north of Kopetsky's home.

snip
http://www.kctv5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6625986

[One2Snoop]

Family, Friends Search For Missing Belton Teen
Kara Kopetsky Missing Since May 4, Family Says

POSTED: 3:52 pm CDT June 9, 2007
UPDATED: 8:10 pm CDT June 9, 2007

BELTON, Mo. -- Parents of missing teen Kara Kopetsky said they believe someone is behind their daughter's disappearance.

"Somebody else is involved. Somebody knows -- somebody knows something out there, and they're just not saying," said Mike Kopetsky, Kara's father.

He said he wants to stress that his daughter did not disappear on her own. He said he he's tired of the runaway rumors.


"I address that as false. I don't know where that came from. That's never happened," he said.

snip

http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/...65/detail.html

[One2Snoop]

Posted on Mon, Jun. 11, 2007
Case of missing Belton teen aired on America’s Most Wanted
By KEVIN HOFFMANN
The Kansas City Star

The case of missing Belton teenager Kara Kopetsky was broadcast to a national television audience over the weekend.

Details of her disappearance aired at 8 p.m. Saturday on America’s Most Wanted, shown on the Fox network. The show reported that Kopetsky had been missing since May 4, when she was last seen at Belton High School. The show also mentioned physical similarities in Kopetsky and Kelsey Smith, who was abducted from the parking lot of an Overland Park Target and murdered.

Information about the case also is part of the show’s Web site at www.amw.com .

Belton police are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information about the disappearance is asked to call the Tips Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS (474-8477).

http://www.kansascity.com/news/break...ry/145635.html

[One2Snoop]

Motorcyclists ride for Kelsey Smith
By KEVIN HOFFMANN The Kansas City Star
Greg Smith throttled a 2004 Honda motorcycle down Johnson Drive this afternoon and glanced over at Old Shawnee Town.

There was something therapeutic in the moment as he drove by, surrounded by more than 100 other riders.

A little more than a week ago, he and his 18-year old daughter, Kelsey, were there to enjoy the festivities of Old Shawnee Days. It was the last time they were together before Kelsey was abducted from a Target parking lot and murdered.

Smith was buoyed again this afternoon, when he drove into that Target parking lot near 97th Street and Quivira Road and saw hundreds more bikers waiting for him and his wife, Missey. Over the next 90 minutes, the grieving parents and more than 400 other motorcyclists participated in the Kelsey Smith Benefit Ride on Interstate 435 around Kansas City.

Organizers estimated the event raised more than $4,000 that will be donated to the Kelsey Smith Fund.

snip
http://www.kansascity.com/news/break...ry/144803.html

[mu8shark]

Not to be contrary but this does not look like road rage at all. I have never heard of a road rage where the individual was abducted. And Douglas said yesterday they have evidence she was definitely killed in the woods in Jackson County which makes sense as ligature strangulation is not overly quick and he would have drawn way too much attention to himself trying to strangle her in the parking lot. I think and this is just my opinion, that he had the m.o. of the Ted Bundy type. Bundy would just select an area to cruise and troll and when he saw his choice if there was a good opportunity he would abduct her. If not, he would move on and come back the next day. I have a feeling he was cruising this area till the right type and right moment. On the local news a few days after a woman who runs in and around the Target area swears she was confronted by him in April. She did not call the police because basically he just made a sexual comment, followed her a bit and she ran away. I don't think it is out of the question that this guy has down this before or maybe this was his first try.but he would have tried it again. I am willing to bet he sexually assaulted her although for a lot of these lust killers they don't rape the girl, the act of killing provides them a sexual release instead of sex itself.Bundy did not rape all his victims. As for the video showing her car in the parking lot at Macy's at 9:17, it does exist. It was aired only once that I saw and it was of such poor quality all they could make out was it was her car and of course the tape had a running time stamp. Here is my question, how did he subdue her? Did he have a gun or knife? You would think it would be hard to force her to cooperate. That is my two cents but I honestly don't think it was road rage as he would have killed her right there and no need to take her away from that location. Julie

[One2Snoop]

Thanks for posting your thoughts Mu8shark. It's so hard to say what his motive might have been and we may never know the real reason "why" he did it. It just breaks my heart to see this sort of thing happen.

I hadn't heard about the other case in April. Was there a news report on this? What do you think about the possible connection to Kara's case?

[mu8shark]

The story about the woman who says he confronted her was on one of the local channels and she said she was running and he was behind her and said she had a nice ass. She said something about his demeanor frightened her and she moved away from him and somehow he got in front of her and ask her if he offended her. She said she ran and regrets not calling the police. Had she called the police nothing would have come of it, they don't arrest people for smart or crude remarks. She was crying on tv and seemed quite sincere. She said she did not recognize him from the video but only from his mug shot. I did not see anything about this on the national news., I live literally three blocks from that Target and I walk there all the time. This story was very frightening to me.

[One2Snoop]

Originally Posted by mu8shark

The story about the woman who says he confronted her was on one of the local channels and she said she was running and he was behind her and said she had a nice ass. She said something about his demeanor frightened her and she moved away from him and somehow he got in front of her and ask her if he offended her. She said she ran and regrets not calling the police. Had she called the police nothing would have come of it, they don't arrest people for smart or crude remarks. She was crying on tv and seemed quite sincere. She said she did not recognize him from the video but only from his mug shot. I did not see anything about this on the national news., I live literally three blocks from that Target and I walk there all the time. This story was very frightening to me.

Thanks for the info. I can understand this must've of been terribly frightening to you. True the police wouldn't have done anything - but at least there would've been a report. This lady had no way of knowing things would turn out the way they did though. She was lucky, Kelsey was not.

May she R.I.P.

[mu8shark]

The woman on the news who said she was confronted did not look anything like Kelsey. She was blonde, much heavier and in her 40's which led me to think perhaps this is a guy who just dislikes women period and does what he can to degrade or frighten them. She could be mistaken of course or trying to get attention, however she seemed quite genuine. On this other girl Kara, the thing about the composite is that this is a composite taken from a sighting of Kara quite a while after she was taken and it was generated when three convenience store clerks insisted they saw her with a guy. in Louisburg , KS. However, her parents insist this was not a sighting of their daughter. The local police give it a bit more credence than the parents do. IF it was not Kara and the parents are right and it was not Kara, then the composite is irrelevant . In my mind I can't imagine this Edwin Hall allowing Kara out and about even if he were with her. His m.o and the mo of most of these guys is to abduct, sexually assault and kill very quickly. And most statistics bear that out, that most of these type predators kill within the first few hours to avoid detection. And Edwin would have had a wife and child to get back to, so it was not like he could secret Kara away to his house and keep her. Also Kara has had a history of running away. I am not saying not to look for her or that she has not been harmed but the composite and its resembling Edwin Hall is only relevant if you believe Kara was indeed sighted alive and well in Louisburg many days after her disappearance.

[Zoey]

Originally Posted by BrookLyn

Thanks for posting this link, One2Snoop. What wonderful people the Smiths have to support them. It's just so heartwarming to read about stories like this it actually brings tears to your eyes. I'm sure Kelsey's family and friends can feel the support they have and it must really help them through their greiving.

I so agree with you. What a wonderful thing to help this family in their time of need. Having never experienced the loss of a child, I can't imagine what this family is going through, but my thoughts and prayers are with them every day. I know when my dad passed, it was very hard. The loss of a child in such a brutal way would just be so much harder. God Bless the Smith family.

[imanewsjunkie]

After this case a good friend convinced me to start taking a self defense class with her. The instructor teaches moved designed specifically for abduction cases, like how to get out of certain holds and turn the other person's size and weight against them (Judo). He has a 9 year old son that he teaches everything to as well- starting from what to do if a stranger grabs his arm and starts to pull him. When I have kids, I want them to learn these things at a young age too.

I can only hope that I will never be in a position to have to defend myself like that, and that if I am attacked I will have a chance to defend myself. Kelsey seems to have been overpowered so quickly, it's unclear if she had a chance to fight him off.

[mu8shark]

An update on the woman who said she was approached by Edwin Hall in the same area. She was interviewed on fox 4 news at 5 pm , her name is Diane Ulry and basically it was what I said before except that she was running in the area of that Target and was actually confronted about 3 blocks from there at the elementary school . But she runs by Target parking lot as part of her running route. The interesting thing is that according to fox 4 news, police find her credible because in their investigation of Edwin Hall, they said that this is an approach he had used before with women. I think that the posters who said he may have a grudge against women because of something his birth mother did, are probably onto something. He may even be angry at his adoptive mother (which is a poor excuse for what he did ) He obviously enjoys offending and scaring women. Maybe he was working up to abduction and just confronting women was becoming old hat to him.Also I thought I would mention that he has another court date tomorrow where prosecutors are supposed to present more evidence. I am not sure if the national news is updating this story so I would be glad to update on this site if you all are still interested. Julie

[mu8shark]

The way they worded it was they would be presenting more evidence. Here is my guess, Kelsey was buried yesterday and so obviously the autopsy is complete. I think if he raped her, they found that out definitely and might be going before the judge to say, Okay now we are adding rape and here is our evidence for that charge. I have also heard a rumour there may be a gag order on this case in the future, which is a bummer for the curious ones like me but I understand they have to protect their case. One thing that really upsets me about this tragic case is that Kelsey was not engaging in some , wild risky behavior like dealing drugs or in a gang, she was merely shopping like all of us do. I am not saying that those who engage in that behavior deserve to die , it's just that you do try to teach your children to live within safe bounds and this poor girl was doing nothing wrong. It makes all of us seem vulnerable. When her parents spoke out about the memorial that her high school had they were so honest about her. Her mother said she and the band leader were saying Kelsey was a good person who would help anyone but she had her moments when she could be a b i t c h . Her mother laughed when she said it, so I think it was just a kidding type reference. And her father chimed in and said ,( I am paraphrasing here) 'There is no reason for us to paint her as a saint or perfect person, she was a real human being 'and I thought it was great they realized that and did not idealize her. I mean, at a time like this how honest is that? Sad sad sad that this should happen to anyone! I will update you tomorrow on the court date after I watch the 5 and 6 o clock news.

[One2Snoop]

Originally Posted by mu8shark

An update on the woman who said she was approached by Edwin Hall in the same area. She was interviewed on fox 4 news at 5 pm , her name is Diane Ulry and basically it was what I said before except that she was running in the area of that Target and was actually confronted about 3 blocks from there at the elementary school . But she runs by Target parking lot as part of her running route. The interesting thing is that according to fox 4 news, police find her credible because in their investigation of Edwin Hall, they said that this is an approach he had used before with women. I think that the posters who said he may have a grudge against women because of something his birth mother did, are probably onto something. He may even be angry at his adoptive mother (which is a poor excuse for what he did ) He obviously enjoys offending and scaring women. Maybe he was working up to abduction and just confronting women was becoming old hat to him.Also I thought I would mention that he has another court date tomorrow where prosecutors are supposed to present more evidence. I am not sure if the national news is updating this story so I would be glad to update on this site if you all are still interested. Julie

I'm still interested. I've just had a busy few days with real life. Thanks for the info and yes please do update. I'll look for updates tomorrow also but may not be here till later in the afternoon.

[One2Snoop]

Posted on Thu, Jun. 14, 2007
Man accused of killing Kelsey Smith to be in court today
The Kansas City Star

Edwin R. Hall, the man accused of killing Kelsey Smith, is scheduled to appear in court today.

Hall, 26, of Olathe, was charged a week ago with first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping.

Smith, 18, was kidnapped from an Overland Park Target as she was running an errand June 2. She was seen leaving the store about 7:10 p.m. Surveillance video showed a man sprinting up to her car and forcing her inside.

Hall's court appearance today is expected to be brief.

http://www.kansascity.com/news/break...ry/149905.html