Tag Archive for: Missing Person

Thomas Morphey

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ABC’s Chris Cuomo interviewed Thomas Morphey a few weeks back, and many of you have asked for my opinion. Thomas Morphey is Drew Peterson’s stepbrother.

Is Morphey being honest with us? You can watch him speak here.

When I watch Morphey speak, I see a man who is casual and relaxed. He is not uptight, stressed or worried, which matches his demeanor when I look at his face. I suspect, by looking at Morphey, that he is an easy-going guy in real life and isn’t demanding, nor is he highly driven. He is likely very accepting of people, and it would not surprise me that Peterson knew this, picked up on it and knew that Morphey was the perfect candidate to assist him, because he was easily malleable.

Read moreIn the interview, we learn that Morphey was diagnosed with bi-polar several years ago, and that he suffered from abuse and addiction issues. Furthermore, we find out that Morphey was drinking the night he talks about meeting up with Drew Peterson, but according to Cuomo, he still remembers that night. And we all know that Morphey ended up trying to commit suicide after he helped Peterson move a blue barrel.

With that, it is not surprising that Cuomo talks about how Morphey has not been called to testify in front of a grand jury. There is no doubt that Morphey has credibility issues which Morphey, himself admits to. However, when I watch Morphey speak, I believe he is being honest with us about what transpired between himself and Peterson.

Morphey says a few odd things, but they don’t alert me that he is lying. He says that when Peterson asked him how much he (Morphey) loved Peterson, Morphy didn’t say how much, he just said “I do.” He doesn’t answer the question. That could be because he doesn’t want to admit exactly what he said on TV for fear he’ll be ridiculed, or maybe it was just a slip of the tongue, since he is on camera. Either way, while it is odd, it doesn’t mean terribly much to me.

Cuomo also tells us that Morphey said he was afraid of Peterson, yet in another sentence, Morphey said that he trusted Peterson. We typically don’t trust people we are afraid of, yet when I look closely at the second statement Morphy said about trusting Peterson, he says it off the top of his tongue, without giving it much thought. Often times when we are put on the spot, like Morphey was here, we say things, that if we had given it thought, we wouldn’t have said, so I don’t put too much into this, either.

What would be Morphey’s motivation to lie at this point? I think that is key.

Morphey doesn’t hit me as a vengeful person, first and foremost, so I feel confident discounting that. Second, I don’t think it would gain Morphey anything to come out publicly, and accuse Peterson, when at the same time, he is admitting to all of his own issues. Going public with all of Morphey’s issues won’t help him any, that’s for sure.

Morphey, in my opinion, is actually being quite brave to go on television, to admit to all of his credibility issues and furthermore to admit that he thinks he helped Peterson move a dead body. You have to admire the guy at this point for being so frank. Just sadly, I don’t think Morphey will be called as witness in Peterson’s trial, should it ever make it that far.

NOTE: Regarding the other story suggestions, the video link that was supplied for the Crystal Sheffield request is not the right video. Also the other link is unavailable now for days. For me to do that story, I need updated video links. Just post them in the comment section. Thanks!


My Thoughts: Ronald & Misty on The Today Show

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Meredith Vieira interviewed Ronald Cummings and Misty (nee Croslin) Cummings on The Today Show Friday. The video continues to support my original belief that both Ronald and Misty know more than they are telling us.

Read moreInterestingly enough, NBC reporter, Michelle Kosinski, now reports that the police are calling Misty “the key to solving this case.” Police are finally publicly acknowledging that there are inconsistencies in Misty’s statements. However, Kosinski also reported that the police “…are satisfied that Ronald doesn’t really know what happened to his little girl.” I suspect this is a very strategic move by police. It does not discourage my original opinion, as I still think Ronald knows more than he is letting on.

I was shocked to see that Ronald didn’t dress up for his wedding. I think that his responses in this interview and the way he behaved through the whole wedding event are supportive that he had other motives for this marriage than “love”.

When I first saw Ronald and Misty in the interview, they did not appear happy or encouraged about being there (i.e., grateful for such an opportunity). I almost felt like they wanted a free trip to New York, and so they decided to do the interview as a means to that end. Both looked very nervous, and not at all anxious or eager to be there to get the message out. Ronald says he went to New York to renew the focus back on Haleigh, but he had that same opportunity, at home, as we all know, so that is ridiculous.

Here are my thoughts on the interview with Ronald and Misty:

Vieira: …so why did you want to come here today? What are you hoping to accomplish, Ronald, today?

Ronald: Uh… to get the focus back on my daughter’s missing (smirk). My five-year-old girl is gone, and I want to find her.

What is fascinating about this is it’s the first time I am seeing what appears to be delight in Ronald. In this statement, his face shows a very positive emotion. I am wondering if this is the first time he has heard that he is not being looked at by police, and that is giving him joy, but if that was the case, I would also expect to see a sense of “relief”, which I do not. I just see a sense of joy. Why is Ronald feeling joy?

Vieira: Have they said anything to you about any possible leads at all?

Ronald: (curls his lower lip down and very slightly out, shakes his head no, and looks down, which is a sign of withdrawal–that he doesn’t want to talk about it.)

Vieira: Nothing.

I don’t believe Ronald here for an instant. He knows more than he is letting on. I suspect the police have told him some things that Ronald doesn’t want to share with us. Perhaps it is that they are looking at Misty closer? Notice that the “smirks” disappeared here? That question didn’t make Ronald very happy. Why?

Vieira then goes on to discuss how Ronald, Jr. talked about a man dressed in black taking Haleigh, and she asks Misty if Ronald, Jr. told either one of them about this. Misty says “umm-um, nope”, and Ronald responds:

Ronald: Me, neither (slight smirk). I think this is some of the garbage that Geraldo and Crystal, the mother, has made up, but I’m just going to leave that at that.

Notice how Ronald lights up when he talks about this? He is working overtime to conceal his delight here. He almost is gritting his teeth to hold it back! I suspect he has really bad feelings towards Crystal right now and just gets joy out of hitting back at her, too. Clearly, he is becoming more smug–almost arrogant.

Vieira: Oh, so you don’t even believe that Ronald Jr. even said this at all?

Ronald: (Classic shoulder shrug, lip curl) I don’t know. (Notice he is smirking!). I wasn’t at home. I was at work (he’s gloating!), (shoulder shrug) I can’t tell you, honestly.

I don’t believe Ronald here for a second! Ronald is exceptionally smug in this video. He has an arrogance about him that is palpable. One indication of Ronald’s arrogance here is how he cocks his head backward and looks down his nose at Vieira. Does he think he is fooling the world right now, or what?

Throughout much of the interview, Ronald has a very nervous energy about him. Notice how he wiggles his leg? I get the sense he really wants to say so much more. Ronald, I suspect, if he could tell us his true thoughts, would tell you he feels like he is in a vice.

Do you notice Misty is biting her lip? It’s an indication she is very nervous. She’s tense and scared. I suspect her heart is really pounding in her chest.

Ronald looks very intently at Vieira at times in this interview. If I were Vieira, I would find his looks threatening. They actually get my heart pounding. He then licks his lips, and I just get this feeling he is very volatile or could explode at any second. Misty licks her lips as well, but I don’t feel threatened by her. I feel she is very nervous and uncomfortable. Two different emotions from these two people who both lick their lips.

Vieira then asks Misty why she stopped talking to investigators earlier this week, and Misty tells us the investigator was being very rude to her, and she wasn’t comfortable talking to him. I believe she is being dead honest here. She gets quite confident when she says this, which we have rarely seen Misty do. Misty is usually very timid, because she is feeling insecure about the things she has been telling us. Notice how her words flow here, how she doesn’t have to think about what she is talking about here? This is Misty when she is honest and sincere with us.

Do you see Ronald do his infamous “under-eye” watch of Misty when she talks? This shows exceptionally controlling behavior on behalf of Ronald. He is dying to look at Misty and give her a look or a message that he doesn’t approve of what she is saying, but he doesn’t dare do it. He continues to restrain himself.

Vieira to Misty: So he was accusing you of lying to him?

Misty: Yeah.

Ronald: After passing the polygraph (smiling).

Vieira: I think part of the problem is there have been a certain number of inconsistencies, or what’s perceived to be inconsistencies, because you first said that Haleigh was in bed with you, then you said she was on the mattress next to you. This is an opportunity to clarify. You’ve had time to think through what happened that night. Can you walk us through it, one more time, your best recollection of what happened the night Haleigh disappeared?

When Misty gives her response, you can clearly see her thinking as she talks about it. Notice how different her behavior is here, compared to when she was telling us the truth above? Her words do not flow naturally here, whereas above, they did.

Vieira: Help me out, Misty. Why were there inconsistencies? Why did you say one thing, one time, and one time, the other?

Misty: (Notice how she purses her lips?) Ummm….. (Notice how she shakes her head to suggest she is thinking “I don’t know”? Notice how she looks to Ron for an answer, and then she looks down?) I don’t know (she shrugs her shoulders simultaneously).

When Misty looks to Ron during the interview segment above for help, it is fascinating, because it is strongly suggestive for us that Ronald is the one who is the decision-maker of the two of them–the one who is in charge in their relationship. Misty looks to Ronald for answers.

During this segment, Ronald also looks down and is very intense. His behavior is indicative of withdrawal. When two people are in cahoots, and one says something the other doesn’t agree with, one will often withdraw by looking down and ceasing all communication. It’s a powerful message of disapproval, which further supports that he is the controlling one of the two of them; however, Misty totally misses it.

Why is Ronald so controlling over this situation if, (a) they are telling the truth, and (b) he is innocent? It is flat out inconsistent! If they were honest and truthful, he would have no reason to worry about Misty, but he clearly does!

Vieira: Then yesterday you guys got married, Ronald. Why was that an important thing for you to do?

Ronald: I don’t know. I think my little girl would have wanted it. I would have rather her to have been there, so obviously when we get her back (smirk), we will….do…a much larger, better wedding (super slight smirk), but we’re just…that’s just still (smirking) taking the focus off of (smiling) Haleigh (smile continues). We need to be focused on Haleigh (smile ceases abruptly) and not what I am focused on in my personal life.

Notice Misty keeps licking her lips? I wonder if because she is nervous, she is breathing more, and it is drying out her lips.

This segment is very telling about why Ronald married. If Misty was the reason, I would think he would talk about her first, but he doesn’t. It’s a strong indication there were other motives that Ronald doesn’t want to talk about.

I think we are seeing classic duper’s delight at this point when Cummings is talking about having a much better wedding when Haleigh returns. As soon as he thinks about himself again, his emotions change because he is frustrated that his privacy is invaded.

Vieira: Is there anything else you would like to say in case somebody is out there who might know something?

Ronald: Ummm…. if you (smirking) know something (looking up thinking), please call the crime stoppers….or….the….any local sheriff’s office…and….if my little girl is watching, baby, I love you.

Do you notice how Ron has to think to do what is important for his daughter? It’s mind-blowing! Notice how he doesn’t talk to the camera, that he only glances at it? This is indicative that he doesn’t believe she is out there listening. He also has no genuine inflection in his voice. He is monotone every time he talks to Haleigh. Why does he smirk again?

Vieira: And Misty as you sit here, do you believe in your heart that they see you as a suspect?

Misty: (very smug, perhaps a form of denial) No, I don’t. (notice the brief head swagger?)

Ronald: I don’t either (smirking). I talked to the lead detective. His name is John Merchant.

Vieira: And he said?

Ronald: (smirking) Nope, he doesn’t think that she is a suspect.

Ronald is arrogant in this interview, and feels a sense of joy, which I suspect is duper’s delight. Is that because he doesn’t believe the police are on to him now, and that he is getting away with it?

I do think Misty is the “key” to solving this case, because she depends heavily on Ronald, and Ronald is very volatile, if you want my opinion. If Ronald were to be put under more pressure, he could very likely become unpredictable and even dangerous, and police may know that, so hence Misty is their best shot at getting to the truth, if they can’t find Haleigh on their own.

Cummings and Croslin to Tie Knot Today

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The Orlando Sentinel is reporting today that Cummings and Croslin aren’t going to waste any time getting married. They are supposed to tie the knot today at 4 p.m.

In the meantime, a 100-person investigative search team is combing the highways, looking for clues to Haleigh’s disappearance.

Just thinking about this ceremony, I get upset. To think that Haleigh’s body is likely laying out there in some horrific place, and her father has no problem going on with his life and having a big celebration today, it just violates me to the core. The lack of caring and compassion showed by Cummings is just devastating. It’s just really, really sad to think about, and to think he is a father makes it a thousand times worse. Haleigh deserved so much more than this.

Thanks, KM, for updating me on this news.

My Thoughts About the Tattoo

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The first thing I did when I saw that Ronald Cummings had a tattoo of Haleigh on his leg was put myself in the shoes of an innocent parent, whose child was truly abducted, and I thought about how I would feel. Then I thought about the tattoo.

Read moreThe tattoo gave me a horrible feeling.

If my daughter was missing, I would not want to memorialize this horrible tragedy on my leg, should she still be alive and come home, which is a thought I would desperately cling to until I had no other option.

If my daughter came home, I would never want to be reminded of the horror that I endured all those weeks not knowing where she was, but worse and more importantly, of the potential pain and suffering my daughter would have had to endure at the hands of a sick stranger for all those weeks. If my daughter come home safe and sound, I would want to forget this nightmare. Forever. I would not want to have horrific memories memorialized on my leg in a tattoo, especially if it could become an emotional “trigger” for my daughter of her nightmarish experience. I would never want to give a predator such power, either. I would want fresh beginnings and a new start, but a tattoo would rob me of that.

Of course, Cummings would likely argue that he got the tattoo as a sign of love and devotion to his daughter. We can’t say anything conclusive by his behavior here, but it is unusual, to say the least. Most parents of missing children find secondary things, such as unnecessary salon visits and self-pampering, are not a top priority in times of crisis like this. Finding their missing children takes top priority, even four weeks later.

It brings me back to the day I saw Cumming’s mother, Teresa Neves, on TV saying that Cummings didn’t go out and search on that particular day because “no one came and got him”. I was just appalled by that, as if it is the responsibility of other people to motivate Cummings to search. He is the father who should care the most, and be the most driven to organize, plan and continually work to find his daughter, but he continually shows us he is not.

If I were in his shoes, there would always be a task I could do to keep my daughter’s face front and center in the public’s eye, if I was not searching.

Cumming also doesn’t appear to look at the media as a tool, which I find perplexing. Innocent people who are victims of crime and are looking for a missing loved one usually see the media as a means to an end. They may not like the media, but use them as a tool. Instead, here, Cummings actually complains he is not being left alone to do what he wants to do! It’s just mind boggling.

What sad story this is on multiple levels. I just don’t trust Ronald Cummings. To read more of my thoughts on this case, click on the labels below.