Kelly Cook - Unsolved Murder \ Standard Alberta 1981

[debbiec]

You have to remember that this happened in an era when people were far more trusting than they are today. For myself I would not have allowed my daughter to get in a car with a stranger but I think a lot of people probably would have. Hindsight is twenty twenty and we can always see what we should have done after the fact. I'm sure these parents have been living with what they think they should have done all this time, but that doesn't bring their daughter back and neither does it catch a killer. I also feel that he was probably travelling through and that this isn't the only time he has done something like this. To me it looks like it was premeditated.

[Desespere]

It was premeditated
the police feel his original target was a gymnast, a friend of Kelly's and when the killer called the gymnast she said she wouldn't babysit but to call kelly. I think he waited four days to call kelly.

If he was travelling then I suspect he couldn't arrange with Kelly that day so he had to go home or somewhere else and came back four days later and took kelly.

[Desespere]

I dont believe this guy new Kelly at all. He found someones name in a laundry mat advertising for a babysitter and that lucky person was busy but, she passed on the her friends Kelly's number.

I can't believe I missed this from Andy M. If the killer called the school first to get the gymnast's number and then found the gymnast's number in a laundry mat later and then called the gymnast to babysit and she refused he must have been mad.

Did he call the gymnast in the evening and then Kelly the next morning? Also, I guess the gymnast would know what the voice was like but that was never reported in the description. I think voice is a good identifier but I know it can be masked. The one thing about voices, if I'm right, is that a person with a naturally high voice may not be able to mimick a low voice for very long, however, a guy with a low voice might be able to mimick a high voice for a sustained amount of time. I wonder if the voice was low or high.

I just realized something, the writings Andy M. put say that kelly got a call at 8:30am on a Wednesday morning, so these kids must have been out of school, no? It must have been spring break.

Also, there is a similar case in Alberta, sort of, Karen Ewansiw in Edmonton murdered in 1975. I don't know the date she was last seen but have estimated it to be April 23, 1975. She was found April 24, 1975.
Here's the link, the dates are very close, a coincidence?

http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca/index.php/board,355.0.html

It is hard to find information on Karen, she was only 11. Newspaper articles on the sk in Edmonton say police are investigating murders of STWs back to 1975. The thing is the only unsolved murder I can find in 1975 in Edmonton is Karen's. But she was only 11, so I'm not sure she would have been a STW, I sure hope not. I know there are articles in archives but one has to pay to read them. Does anyone have access to archives in Edmonton to 1975 news articles? It would be good to know where Karen was last seen and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance? If so, please post any info on Karen Ewanciw at the link above. I'm feeling this might be a related case.

[Chris]

That is pretty simular. I think predators like to use the same MO each time. 75 - 81 were good years for the Oil Patch. Could have been a traveller. After 81, hundreds of thousands lost there jobs and moved to other places.

[haunted]

I was a young child living in southern Alberta when Kelly was murdered. I remember somethings very well. Her murder has haunted me for years and I would love nothing more than for this family to find some answers. I remember that there was a composite sketch that was issued on a poster, it was in the grocery store window in the town that I lived in. And, if I recall correctly the girl (gymnast) who was the initial intended target was approached by the suspect while she was working (waitressing I believe). She could not babysit for him but gave him Kelly's name and number. I wonder why he would entertain the idea of changing targets when it appears he put a bit of time and energy into seeking out the first intended target. Why throw that all away? I think one of three things could have happened. Either he was geared up and was not ready to throw it away so decided that another victim would do. Or, he was on a strict timeline, which may support the 'travelling salesperson' theory, or, he was then afraid that because he already approached his intended victim first, that it would be too risky to try to get to her again, as he would have to try a different tactic, when obviously the babysitting approach was something easy and something he was comfortable with. Again, this MO has to have been used before. There is no way Kelly was this guy's first victim.

I have been hopeful that the DNA evidence thing would come into play eventually but I also wonder how much DNA is available/usable once there has been the stages of decomposition like in this case, where the body was in the water for some time.

Also I am sure that the police have checked it out, but it would be interesting to know where the telephone call to Kelly to ask her to babysit, came from. Likely a pay phone but who knows for sure.

I think it is possible that the person involved was perhaps temporarily staying with someone in the area. I don't think it would have been someone in the town, as the town is really small and a new person is really obvious, but in the outlying rural community. Also, this person was not afraid to show his face as the first intended victim saw him, not knowing he was going to be murderer. I think immediately after it happened the person left the area. Also, no indication has ever been given of where the crime occured. Chin Lake was clearly the disposal site, but did the murder occur there? and why this site? Convenience or a place that the murderer was familiar with?

So many unanswered questions.

[Chris]

Hi haunted,

I do not recall this case when I was little. I lived in alberta too at the time.

Did they have a stetch of the guy they were looking for?

It would be great if they could extract DNA from anything to compare. I hope there is and the guy goes to prison.

There was a lot of Oil activity in that area in 1981, but that was the year the NEP threw the oil patch out of business basically and there was a lot of turmiol and people were beginning to leave etc. So yes, it could have been a visitor or person passing thru.

This is one case I hope is solved in my lifetime. That town is small so it seems rather odd it was never solved.

[haunted]

Hello Chris

Yes there definitely was a sketch made of the suspect, between the time that Kelly was abducted and her body was found. I will never forget the sketch because I, being a child, was so certain that I would see this man and solve the case. I committed it to memory. I am certain the sketch details would have been given by the first intended victim, because, as I said he came up to her, in person. Our family had a copy of the sketch at one time and I am double checking to see if my parents would still have a copy, but I am doubtful. Obviously the police would have it. What I am wondering is if the police could have it digitally aged enhanced or use the old sketch to compare to convicted murderers elsewhere to see if it is possible to confirm that responsible person is in fact in prison or received the DP in the states for something else.

I believe the police know quite a bit more than what has been revealed to the public.

It was lucky the body was even found when it was. It was only found because the reservoir in which it was in was very low due to excessive irrigation. I believe the body was found in June or so.

Because of the unusual circumstances surrounding this, it makes me think that it must be able to be linked to some other crimes. In your research, do you know, do some of these predators change their MO that drastically as to not repeat the same set up twice? I have to think it was done before because he was so confident and bold and smooth.

It concerns that this case, along with many others, has not received any media attention in years and years. The article from the Sun marking the 25th anniversary of Kelly's death is the only thing I have found in years, along with the RCMP's site. There was once an episode on Unsolved Mysteries about Kelly Cook and that was in the late 80's or maybe early 90's. I would think it would serve the RCMP well to bring these cases front and centre, even yearly. Bring back the sketch and pursue it more publicly.

Here's to keeping hope alive.

On an interesting note, at my local grocery store yesterday I found an ad from an 11 year old girl who reveals her name, age and phone number, looking for babysitting jobs over the summer. I may need to call her parents and ask them not to let their precious little one advertise herself in such a way, making this type of scenario all to easy for those who are actively lookin.

 

[Chris]

I believe the police know quite a bit more than what has been revealed to the public.

I'm sure they definetly do! In fact, I am certain they have a strong POI in this.

Desespre has done a lot of research, and in her work, they may have been simular cases in Toronto area and I think one in Edmonton.

Sometimes the reason teh police do not publicize certain cases could be they know who did it, and he is dead. But in this case, it does seem the police are still seeking tips and information so I assume he is alive. I do rememebr the article from the SUn 3 years ago and I got the impression they know who, just not enough proof.

They did afterall see his car, and it is probable someone in Hussar saw the perv when Kelly called home from the payphone there. Afterall, Hussar is very small and outsiders are easy to spot.

[haunted]

Chris

I re-read the Sun article and the one sentence where they say the name was not made public, I think they are referring to the friend of Kelly's, the figure skater, which would make sense that she would be protected, after all she was a targetted victim. I don't think they are referring to the murderer.

While I do not have access to the sketch of the suspect from 1981, I was considering calling the officer involved in the cold cases in Calgary and find out if they have one that they would be willing to release again to the public, unless yourself or anyone else in the forum, that you're aware of, has been in touch with the investigating officer. I wonder if we could get it and put it on this site. I know it is old and the suspect, if still alive has aged almost 30 years, however, someone knew this guy at that time and someone knows him now.

I am also trying to check the site www.websleuths.com to go thru some of the missing persons and murders from the 70's and 80's in the States.  I have found nothing so far that is even similar is situation, however, perhaps the murderer 'worked' his way up to this scenario by doing other murders that were less of a 'hunt' and with less planning involved and after it was done, at least in Southern Alberta, the chances of it working the same way at that time, was far less because the public was more cautious of letting their children babysit for someone they did not know. I know that our family was very strict about the rules of babysitting following Kelly's murder.

The phone call from Hussar, really really bothers me. I realize that it is not possible to know if it was Kelly however, in such small towns the odds of another call placed by a girl or woman screaming would be a really unusual coincidence. I believe very strongly that was Kelly. However, I also agree with the posts that the responsible party would not have planned this so carefully and then have to stop for gas. In fact I pulled up the town of Hussar on the web. It is extremely small. Possibly it did not even have a gas station. What I wonder is if the murderer was taking her some place in Hussar and she escaped and made it to what would probably be the only payphone in town before he caught up with her, or she escaped from his vehicle at a stop sign or when he slowed to turn down the back road to go south toward Chin Lake. I agree that someone in Hussar probably knows more info and perhaps the police have questioned witnesses in this regard. It is likely the call was Kelly that night because of the path from Standard, to go straight East to Hussar, then directly south on the back roads leads right to Chin Lake.

Also, it would be interesting to know if what the cinder block was made of, which might indicate where it was formed, if it was determined to be local to Alberta or from elsewhere.

[Desespere]

Hello Haunted,
Nice to have you here.

I'll write more but I just want to say, yes there was a case similar, a missing girl from North Dakota, Barbara Cotton, missing April 11, 1981 from Williston, ND. Just disappeared off the road. She has never been recovered. She was also 15 and there is a potential link to the areas, possibly, someone travelling due to oil based work. I suspect not a rig guy but maybe someone more office type, perhaps oil company related sales something like that.

Here's the link to Barbara's info at charley project.

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/c/cotton_barbara.html

Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance

Missing Since: April 11, 1981 from Williston, North Dakota
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: November 10, 1965
Age: 15 years old
Height and Weight: 5'2, 100 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian female. Brown hair, hazel eyes. Cotton's ears are pierced, and her left ear is slightly lower than her right ear. She has a mole on the upper right side of her chest. Cotton has a pronounced "S" curve in her spine, which causes her to walk with a slight limp. She smoked cigarettes in 1981. Cotton wears eyeglasses, but left hers behind she disappeared. Her teeth were in excellent condition at the time of her disappearance.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A blouse, jeans and loafers.
 

Details of Disappearance

Cotton was last seen leaving a restaurant on Main Street in her hometown of Williston, North Dakota during the evening hours of April 11, 1981. She has never been heard from again. She did not take her clothes, eyeglasses, cigarettes, money, or any other personal belongings with her when she disappeared. She also left behind a paycheck from work. Her younger brother stated he was very close to Cotton and she never told him of any plans to leave home.
Cotton's case was originally investigated as a runaway case and a missing persons report was not filed for several days as a result. Authorities now believe that Cotton may have been abducted, but the prime suspect in her disappearance, a former boyfriend of Cotton's, is now deceased. Her case is considered open and unsolved.

Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Williston Police Department
 701-572-2197 

[Desespere]

These are some more missing in the age range 10-16 prior to Kelly's abduction, just links provided for now. I will assume, since Haunted said it was unlikely Kelly would have been found but the reservoir was particularly low that year, that Kelly would still be a missing person if irrigation needs, weather basically, hadn't acted strange that year. US and Canada included. Boys not included this time. Earliest to latest, 1975 - 1981

I REALLY think it's a good idea to release composite sketches of possible suspects in ALL unsolved cases if the suspect has never been identified and cleared

there are many potential links to all these cases - if we start with the description of Sharron Prior's killer and compare it to description in other's, I think we could connect. Kelly Cook's killer 6 years later saying he was 35 or so. Anyway, confirming links and reading the records again, I see there could be many reasons to think some of these are connected.

http://www.sharronprior.com/art2.html - missing on way to pizza restaraunt - suspect 29, 6'1", 200 lbs, blue eyes, squared-off mustache
http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca/index.php/board,355.0.html
http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca/index.php/board,479.0.html - missing in front of her residence - reserve
http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca/index.php/topic,256.0.html - found beneath plywood on near Reserve
http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca/index.php/topic,257.0.html - found in woods - may be related to Katherine Herbert
http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca/index.php?topic=67.0 - missing from pizza restaraunt - found in shallow grave
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/l/lloyd_lori.html - last seen babysitting, may have disappeared on way to store
http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca/index.php/topic,1845.0.html - Linked to Florence Keeble
http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca/index.php/topic,63.0.html - missing 5 blocks from her house - found behind garbage bin
http://www.unsolvedchildmurders.com/jillrobinson.htm - missing riding bike - Linked to babysitter killer - Michigan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_County_Child_Killer - Kristine Mihelic - missing buying a magazine - Linked ot babysitter killer - Michigan
http://newsgathering.beloblog.com/archives/2007/10/cold_case_files_in_denton.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2002/09/20/allore020917.html - Manon Dube in article - last seen walking across icy school yard. Found in a creek. May be linked to Theresa Allore (http://www.whokilledtheresa.com)
http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca/index.php/board,953.0.html - missing riding bike
http://www.unsolved.ws/idaho/patricia_campbell_age_15_tina_anderson_age_12_murdered_pocatello-t335.0.html - two girls last seen at an event
http://www.unsolvedcanada.ca/index.php/topic,476.0.html - missing from outside a residence
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewChildDetail&LanguageCountry=en_US&searchLang=en_US&caseLang=en_US&orgPrefix=NCMC&caseNum=601787&seqNum=1 - missing crossing the street to use the phone - linked to Babysitter Killer - Michigan
http://www.unsolved.ws/indiana/paula_ann_stewart_1980_murdered_hobart-t154.0.html - missing riding her bike found outskirts of town
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=state_police_unsolved&id=21658&v=Article-homicides - found murdered behind a high school
http://www.unsolved.ws/michigan/deanie_marie_pyle_peters_february_5_1981_age_14_?_missing_grand_rapids-t342.0.html - missing from outside school
http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/c/cotton_barbara.html - missing from outside restaraunt
Kelly Cook

[Chris]

Hussar is small, and to me I think you'd have to know it was there in order to go there. I was there about 4 years ago, it probably only had 1 pay phone in the whole place. It is off teh highway, and I think the person must have been familiar there.

Do you have a link to the story in the sun? I'd like to read it again. There was something about it when I read that made me believe the police know who, just not enough.

Thanks

[haunted]

http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=111601&s=lifestyle&x=articles

[haunted]

sorry, above message was posted incomplete,

That was the article from the Sun and really the only thing recent in the media besides this site, and the RCMP cold case site.

I will endeavor to contact the investigating officer and see about the sketch and if they have any objection to it being posted on line. If I can't get it from there I might have another way to try.

I am cross referencing all the other links that Des cited on here. I definitely find the Cotton disappearance interesting too along with Shannon Prior. I guess I have been hoping to find an abduction as bold as this one and I just haven't come across it yet.

I agree, this doesn't sound like a rig worker. This is someone who was through there on a regular basis, temporarily staying with someone who lived there or  would go out to the outlying communities, perhaps from Calgary. This reminds me of a Banff murder around the same time line and really Standard and Banff are both close to Calgary but in opposite directions. The car was either owned by the perp or stolen but there has never been anything indicated a stolen vehicle from the area. I think the car belonged to the perp. I believe his appearance made him fit into a 'farming' town and he definitely would not have had an accent, or that would have been made known right away. Something makes me think the car was navy blue but then the article from the Sun said light colored, but I am not sure if that is in fact correct. If I recall the poster that was initially done up had the suspect, Kelly's photo and a picture or description of the car.

It would be interesting to know exactly where at Chin Lake the body was found. It had to be not too far off shore because it was a motorist who stopped by the lake somewhere who discovered it. And yes, had the lake not been unusually low, the body would not have been found. They do not know cause of death, so either the state of decomposition was too great and/or it was a cause like asphyxiation that would not leave visible signs (ie stab wounds etc). Does not state if sexual assault occured.Her body was found clothed, but to what degree it does not state, or if in the same clothes she was wearing when she disappeared. This of course does not mean there was no sexual assault, in fact, we know from most other cases that it is rare that a young woman would be abducted and not assaulted.

Also the article that featured Kelly's friend, the figure skater/initial target, may have been in the Strathmore paper (I am uncertain if Standard had/has its own newspaper). Strathmore being a larger centre closer to Calgary could/would attract more people, especially people travelling on the transcanada through Calgary.

If the person was really local, he would have been identified by someone, if he looked too out of place he would been too obvious. Possible there was more than one person in on this, an out of towner and a local, like a local from Hussar?

Also, the last name chosen by the perp, Christensen, is a somewhat common name in that area. It is common to Standard, Hussar, Strathmore and Carseland. I know that the perp obviously did not use his real name and likely took a last name out of the phone book.

Will try to get sketch of suspect.............

[Desespere]

A sketch would be good.

After 27 years people might think it hard to recognize a suspect from a sketch. But, maybe someone will see the sketch with new eyes, saying "I know that face from a long time ago." They may have photos taken after that which they could compare with more objectivity after so many years.

I think re-releasing sketches if the person in the sketch has never been identified is really, really important. I sure hope you can find a copy of it.