Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2014 20:26:23 GMT
Growing up in Carmichael near the epicenter of attacks I believe the EAR was a local who also grew up in the area, graduating 4-6 years ahead of me from likely Cordova, La Sierra, Mira Loma, Encino, Jesuit or Del Campo High School. If so, his picture will be in one of those school's yearbooks, between 1970 and 1976. EAR's familiarity with the area and bike trails likely only comes with growing up in the area, maybe having a newspaper route. I delivered the Sacramento Bee and Union and wouldn't be surprised if the EAR did the same as a youth in the initial areas he struck. There was no internet then--we played outside and rode great distances on our bikes to friends homes on both sides of the river in Carmichael and Rancho. I think it's possible EAR first became familiar with the area as a paperboy and then possibly running cross country for his high school. These were the only people in general who used those canal trails then.
There was a huge bicentennial celebration at Carmichael Park on the 4th of July 1976, around the time of his initial known attack a couple of weeks before, which occurred not long after school let out for the summer. There was a huge fireworks celebration at the park on Fair Oaks Blvd and I would bet he was there. I was also a member of the Boy Scouts during this time period and the scout manual featured diamond knots we needed to learn in order to advance to the next level of scouting, toward the coveted Eagle Scout goal. There were sketches of the knot(s) in the book. Also, regarding EAR's possible military background. His dad may have been in the military. Clearly EAR knows the outdoors and like most of us in Carmichael then, rafted the American River. The area of his first attack is where most people pulled their rafts out, at the Watt Avenue Bridge. I don't think EAR was necessarily in the military or stationed at Mather AFB.
There was a huge Army-Navy Surplus store on Fair Oaks Blvd in Carmichael in the 1970s in a large green building. It may have been the only store or one of two of the only army-navy surplus stores in all of Sacramento at the time. I believe EAR probably shopped in this store, which featured hiking boots, fatigues, some outdoor gear, and a variety of types of flashlights. There was a Herfy's hamburger joint nearby. Anyone who grew up in Carmichael will remember it. As a kid I attended a performing arts school across the street from it. This is also near the entrance to Ancil Hoffman Park.
It would appear from all reports that EAR was also something of an exhibitionist. I would check to see if anyone was cited for exposing themselves at Ancil Hoffman Park, where the bike trail runs through, prior to the attacks.
Finally, the initial attacks often happened near schools, like Jesuit High, Cordova, etc. Could EAR, who was likely an athlete (runner?) have been a p/t or substitute coach in the San Juan Unified School District? I believe it is possible. I think the answer to identifying the EAR is looking at his known origins and I propose those origins are in Carmichael or Rancho Cordova. Had one creepy experience with a sub coach after gym class in 1975-76 at Barrett junior High School in Carmichael. The sub coach matched the Rancho composite sketch of EAR, and he did assistant coaching at American River College, across the street from one of the attacks, and near enough to others.
I think the key to solving this is looking at the origin of the case from the inside out, with a local's perspective from that time. One line from the poem attributed to the EAR leapt out at me when I first read it, " The selected route will unmask Character when plans take action." THE SELECTED ROUTE.
Indeed, let's hope it does unmask this character.
There was a huge bicentennial celebration at Carmichael Park on the 4th of July 1976, around the time of his initial known attack a couple of weeks before, which occurred not long after school let out for the summer. There was a huge fireworks celebration at the park on Fair Oaks Blvd and I would bet he was there. I was also a member of the Boy Scouts during this time period and the scout manual featured diamond knots we needed to learn in order to advance to the next level of scouting, toward the coveted Eagle Scout goal. There were sketches of the knot(s) in the book. Also, regarding EAR's possible military background. His dad may have been in the military. Clearly EAR knows the outdoors and like most of us in Carmichael then, rafted the American River. The area of his first attack is where most people pulled their rafts out, at the Watt Avenue Bridge. I don't think EAR was necessarily in the military or stationed at Mather AFB.
There was a huge Army-Navy Surplus store on Fair Oaks Blvd in Carmichael in the 1970s in a large green building. It may have been the only store or one of two of the only army-navy surplus stores in all of Sacramento at the time. I believe EAR probably shopped in this store, which featured hiking boots, fatigues, some outdoor gear, and a variety of types of flashlights. There was a Herfy's hamburger joint nearby. Anyone who grew up in Carmichael will remember it. As a kid I attended a performing arts school across the street from it. This is also near the entrance to Ancil Hoffman Park.
It would appear from all reports that EAR was also something of an exhibitionist. I would check to see if anyone was cited for exposing themselves at Ancil Hoffman Park, where the bike trail runs through, prior to the attacks.
Finally, the initial attacks often happened near schools, like Jesuit High, Cordova, etc. Could EAR, who was likely an athlete (runner?) have been a p/t or substitute coach in the San Juan Unified School District? I believe it is possible. I think the answer to identifying the EAR is looking at his known origins and I propose those origins are in Carmichael or Rancho Cordova. Had one creepy experience with a sub coach after gym class in 1975-76 at Barrett junior High School in Carmichael. The sub coach matched the Rancho composite sketch of EAR, and he did assistant coaching at American River College, across the street from one of the attacks, and near enough to others.
I think the key to solving this is looking at the origin of the case from the inside out, with a local's perspective from that time. One line from the poem attributed to the EAR leapt out at me when I first read it, " The selected route will unmask Character when plans take action." THE SELECTED ROUTE.
Indeed, let's hope it does unmask this character.