Celina Cass, 11. N.H. deceased

[HairOfTheDog]

I guess I didn't miss much with the Press Conference.

Based on the posts here, we still don't really know jack. Time and cause of death pending. No named POIs or suspects. No idea whether LE needs reward money to get someone talking about a family member, friend, visitor, or stranger. Maybe LE really has no idea as to the "who" because they've cleared all of those known to be at the house. I sure hope they have a short list of POIs and just need some corroboration.

[Harvest Moon]

The toxicology reports are still not in. Let's not forget this little darling...

A few news stories reporting on the one month anniversary since she disappeared. http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regiona...ion=recent
"A month to the day when Celina Cass vanished from her rural New Hampshire home, friends of the 11-year-old gathered tonight to launch balloons and place fresh flowers at the dam where divers found her body after an exhaustive search through the North Country.

Their quiet tribute served as a means of grieving — particularly for a handful of young friends who felt a public memorial weeks ago was too soon — and allowed them to keep Celina’s memory in the public’s mind at a time when word of developments in the criminal investigation has waned."

http://www.wcax.com/story/15337490/new-m...elina-cass
"West Stewartstown, New Hampshire -- August 26, 2011
Thursday marked one month since Celina Cass disappeared, and friends turned out to remember her.


http://www.wmur.com/r/28984575/detail.html
WEST STEWARTSTOWN, N.H. -- The community of West Stewartstown held a vigil Thursday for Celina Cass exactly one month after her disappearance.

People from the town said they want to keep her memory alive and are hoping for an arrest.

So far, the attorney general's office said nearly 600 tips have come in on the case.

[Cheyne]

The toxicology results should be in this week. Not sure how much help they'll be, or if LE will release the results.

[Lady Cop]

AP

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Teachers at a tiny New Hampshire elementary school on opening day Tuesday were ready for questions about the suspicious death of a schoolmate this summer but they weren't going to initiate any discussion.

School Superintendent Robert Mills said teachers were briefed last week by a pediatric trauma specialist in preparation for the start of classes at Stewartstown Community School, where 11-year-old Celina Cass would have started the fifth grade.

Celina's body was pulled from the Connecticut River one month ago. An autopsy failed to pinpoint the cause and manner of her death, and investigators have yet to call it a homicide.

"The kids are still somewhat nervous," Mills said. "An 11-year-old was taken in their community. They don't know who. I think they'll feel better once this is resolved."

Mills said he has faith investigators will solve the case.

"There's nothing the school can do for Celina," he said. "We need to look out for all the other kids. Our goal for them is to get things into a normal routine as fast as we can."

Mills said he was buoyed by the excitement and happy chatter he heard at a meeting of students and teachers Tuesday morning at the K-8 school.

New Hampshire investigators trying to solve the mystery of Celina's disappearance and death continue to await tips and toxicology results. Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young had hoped to have toxicology and other test results last week, but said it was not unusual for the process to take as long as eight weeks. HORSESHIT from AG office. they know it was homicide.

She said investigators have received more than a dozen new tips since a press conference two weeks ago announcing a community reward fund for information leading to the prosecution of anyone responsible for Celina's death.

Young said donations to the fund continue to trickle in, and it has reached about $6,000. The FBI also is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to criminal charges.

A close friend said Celina's mother, Louisa Noyes, was patiently waiting for answers and struggling with grief over the loss of her youngest child.

[Lady Cop]

9/3/11
Union Leader

Almost six weeks after 11-year-old Celina Cass was last seen alive, no one is living in the West Stewartstown apartment she called home. Friends say the mother and stepfather of Celina Cass have split up and no longer speak to each other.

[Mickeymouse]

I think it says a lot that the mother won't talk to the father since he's out of the hospital. Maybe she knows or suspects some foul play. I really wish they would solve this case for the little girl!

[Lady Cop]

I think it says a lot that the mother won't talk to the father since he's out of the hospital. Maybe she knows or suspects some foul play. I really wish they would solve this case for the little girl!

i have not seen any report that he is out of mental hospital.

[Mickeymouse]

I think it says a lot that the mother won't talk to the father since he's out of the hospital. Maybe she knows or suspects some foul play. I really wish they would solve this case for the little girl!

i have not seen any report that he is out of mental hospital.

Sorry about that...I misread it!

[B.B. Khazad]

I don't understand what significance a 'toxicology' report could have to the overall case. That she was drugged? Wouldn't a rape kit be more telling? Or simply the condition of the body - patikia, bruising, broken bones, etc. Aren't these things something they already know? And if her computer didn't provide any leads, then she either went out on her own or with someone she knew? If there was evidence of a 'stranger' communicating with her on the computer, then surely they would have a suspect and be able to take the heat off the family, friends or relatives? The AG's silence is deafening!

[Harvest Moon]

There are rumors on Facebook that WN is out of the hospital. Maybe something will happen now.

[HairOfTheDog]

Celina's mom and and her mother-in-law were interviewed last night by WMUR tv. You can see the video and written recap at the link.

Highlights:

1. Both ladies confirm that they didn't hear anything strange in the house that night. Both seem shaken up and Celina's mom Louisa is very emotional. Louisa said she went to work that day and everything was fine until she received a call that Celina was gone.
2. It is confirmed that Wendell is out of the mental facility but receiving treatment in Berlin; the reporter states Wendell had a breakdown during the investigation.
3. Wendell's mom states that he has not talked at all about Celina's death to anyone, not even to her. He's just not talking.
4. Celina's mom is separated from Wendell after 9 months of marriage; she moved out of town.
5. The reporter confirms that toxicology reports are still pending but expected soon; everyone hopes the results will shed some light on what happened to Celina.

There was supposed to be a second part of the interview on the news at 11 pm, but nothing is posted. Maybe it will be up at the WMUR link later today.


http://www.wmur.com/r/29246924/detail.html

[cannongal]

Celina's mom and and her mother-in-law were interviewed last night by WMUR tv. You can see the video and written recap at the link.

http://www.wmur.com/r/29246924/detail.html

I Saw the Promo for this, but didn't get a chance to watch it. Was anything said about Louisa and Wendall's relationship status? I hate to assume things, but if she's doing an interview together with Wendall's mother, it leads me to think that she (louisa) is standing by her man.

I also wonder why the toxicology results are taking so damn long....it's been about 6 weeks, you would think that the D.A. would have put an rush on it.

[cannongal]

I knew I would make an ass out of myself. I just caught part of that interview, it appears they interviewed Louisa and the MIL separately. so the comment about standing by her man doesn't fly.

[Maggot]

They did say that she would not go anywhere without a blanket and was always wrapped up in one. I wonder if somehow she ingested drugs and wandered off into the river.

[Lady Cop]

thanks for the video Hairy. mom appears not much brighter than the mental case she chose to marry.

as for blanket Maggot, if the girl fell in the water with a blanket around her the blanket would have drifted away. it had to be secured somehow, i believe from what little has been released so far that she was wrapped and perhaps taped into blanket.

[HairOfTheDog]

Second part of the interview, video:

http://www.wmur.com/video/29250275/detail.html

Highlights:

- Wendell's mom confirms that Celina was found wrapped in a blue blanket.

- Celina's mom Louisa says that Celina and her sister (Kayla) shared a room in an updated, wide open cellar that they loved. She says Kayla is afraid and the reporter says that Louisa has cut her hours so that Kayla is never alone. (If she suspects Wendell and they presumably know exactly where he is at all times, would she be afraid for Kayla? Maybe, not sure.)

- Louisa says Wendell called her at the consignment store at 9:20 the day Celina was reported missing.

- The reporter says that Louisa is devasted emotionally and financially. Wendell helped pay the rent in their previous home. Louisa has to travel back and forth to West Stewartstown to answer questions and she can't afford the gas money. The police still have the family's computer and cell phones.

I feel badly for this family, but wouldn't personally donate any money (which I believe was at least a small part of the motive for the interviews, otherwise why bring up the financial issues in the first public interview?). We still don't know what happened to Celina and who was involved.

When Wendell's mom says he is not talking to anyone about Celina, I guess that includes LE. Wonder if he has a lawyer or just declines to be interviewed. LC: can anyone simply decline to be questioned or are there repercussions? TIA.

Hoping we see some movement in this case soon.

[Lady Cop]

LC: can anyone simply decline to be questioned or are there repercussions?



a person has the right to remain silent. they NEVER have to speak nomatter what. nobody can be forced to incriminate themselves in this country. it's basic. and the 5^th Amendment to the Constitution is clear. that is why Miranda warnings must be given. if they are dumb enough to blab, oh well.

[HairOfTheDog]

LC: can anyone simply decline to be questioned or are there repercussions?



a person has the right to remain silent. they NEVER have to speak nomatter what. nobody can be forced to incriminate themselves in this country. it's basic. and the 5^th Amendment to the Constitution is clear. that is why Miranda warnings must be given. if they are dumb enough to blab, oh well.

Thanks LC. I guess the only repercussion for not talking to LE is if a witness or suspect who declines to cooperate is then charged with the crime and the prosecution can use lack of cooperation to point to guilt. If you're not involved or dont' know anything, why not answer questions? Fear? I understand and agree with the constitutional rights, but it is frustrating as hell when investigations hit a brick wall due to lack of cooperation. I really hope LE is getting good cooperation from others in Celina's case and there is some useful physical and circumstantial evidence being gathered.

[Lady Cop]

i also meant to say nobody can be forced to take a poly.

actually, prosecutors in court cannot use the fact that someone maintains their right to be silent as evidence of guilt. in fact there is a standard jury instruction of that premise. for example, jurors are not to derive/assume anything from someone taking the 5^th or not taking the stand.

a lack of cooperation such as flight is allowed as evidence of guilt.

and further...that is why even confessions are suspect. there has to be evidence to back up even confessions.

[HairOfTheDog]

I knew that people needed to be mirandized when arrested. I knew that those arrested had the right not to speak at trial or while awaiting trial. Polygraphs always voluntary and never admissable. I wasn't sure if witnesses not charged with a crime could refuse to be questioned without any repercussion (now I understand).

I absolutely was not aware that "lack of cooperation" couldn't be brought up as circumstantial evidence at trial.

Thanks for sharing your expertise LC. Fundamentally, I understand and support these ideals. Practically, in a case like Celina's or Susan Powell's, it's just frustrating that somebody close to the victim likely has key information and there's no repercussions for refusing to even talk to LE. It's all about the evidence. What gets my goat is that you don't even have to be smart to get away with a crime. Just silent and careful about evidence disposal (or silent and lucky). Shrug.

Hopefully, physical and/or circumstantial evidence will exist to bring justice for sweet Celina.