THANK YOU to a reader for sending this graphic.
In my mind, the evidence against Chris Busch (and Greg Greene) is very substantial. However, I have never been able to get past the evidence implicating John H., as well as the interesting case of John McKinney (murdered in 1977). Oakland County and the MSP like it this way; so many possibilities but no definitive answers. Too hard–let’s just say this guy, who lived a stone’s throw from Busch (and close to Officer Pederast), was a bullshitting freak who strung a woman along about his possible involvement in these crimes. And McKinney–lots of people wanted him dead. Drop it.
Eyewitness testimony is often unreliable. The composite drawing was drawn in response to witness hypnosis. Does that make it more reliable? Maybe it does. But police liked that Gremlin lead–yes, let’s go with that!!
At the end of the day, what continues to shock me is that the composite drawing of the younger man and the older man were never made public. Why is that?
In June of 1977, this information could have made a big difference. Again, why was it held back?
The information from the mother of one of Tim’s friends, concerning a strange-acting, younger man who crossed paths with her in the back hallway of Hunter-Maple Pharmacy, was never taken seriously and never properly investigated. So many missed opportunities to solve these crimes.
A lot of readers provide assistance–graphics, links to cold cases that have been solved, observations and insights that I could not and cannot see myself. Then there are people like journalist and author Marney Keenan who have provided invaluable information. And there are quite a few others who have done some very heavy lifting in this case behind the scenes.
A reader wrote yesterday: “It would be significant if any of the arresting officers or prosecutors were still around and possibly would speak with you.” It most certainly would. What would truly be significant is if these people would stop lying.
A friend observed that even though we are pushing rocks uphill, some information previously kept hidden has come to light. The McNamee “coincidence” is an example. The information from Marney is another.
The next topic to tackle (future post) is the misinformation concerning cars connected to these crimes. Misinformation that I helped perpetuate. Marney Keenan has been instrumental in explaining the misinformation and lack of information provided concerning cars in this case. If you want the best way to understand the OCCK investigation, you need to read her book, The Snow Killings. There just is no other way to synthesize the information. I really caution you about weighing in on this case until you have read the book. And don’t skim the parts you think you already know about.
The most important aspect of this car topic is that once again the MSP did not come forward with information that could have helped in real time. The question of mis or malfeasance is right in front of your face. I don’t know about you, but the last people I would want making a decision that would impact the rest of my life, are cops and dirty prosecutors. Yet that is what happened here. It makes me want to take a shower just thinking about it.
Now that information previously withheld is coming to light, more than 40 years later, people are responding–I know that car; I know that face. But what good will it do if the agency charged with solving this cold case won’t act on any of it? The response morphed from overwhelm (too hard!!) to “too many useless leads.” The average person is so afraid of the words “conspiracy” or “cover-up,” as if these concepts are always bullshit. If it ever happens to or around you, you will feel the sense of drowning that accompanies it. It’s why that shit works.
This blog was born from betrayal. Who knew there would be one after another for the last decade-plus? A reader wrote:
Along with almost every stone unturned, it’s almost another confirmation of a system that operated with betrayals and cover ups for over 40 years to 4 families that want truth and justice. There is no chance for closure or healing when the wound keeps getting deeper and deeper.
And why, besides Cory Williams and Kym Worthy, wanting the same closure and healing, do the rest of the f***ing enablers just continue their course of action by sabotaging evidence, ignoring reports, allowing the whacking of persons of interest–instead of protecting these sources. This dark hole they keep digging needs to stop.
Stop the lying and stop the digging.
Helen had told me the Hastings had dogs?. Was one a WHite German SHepherd?, DId they have a Lemans?. I think the long but not big nose is improtant too.
I agree, I also have always felt that Hastings was involved in some way. The composite drawing looks like Hastings and also resembles pictures of Greg Greene during that time period. Have the pictures of Hastings like the one in your blog and the pictures of Greene ever been shown to Doug Wilson or the lady in the drug store if she is still alive?
Thanks,
Jeremy
In February 2005 I met with Gray and Anger at the MSP North post. We started talking about Hastings and Gray said many times he was cleared. I then went on to talk about my main suspect and the info I had about him. When I pronounced my suspects last name I said it wrong. Gray corrected me. I was like “you already knew him as a suspect?” Gray said “no, I went to high school with him.” For the next 10-20 minutes grays leg was shaking under the table. He then excused himself. He went to his office and came back with a poster board. He showed the board to Anger and pointed to something. 2 hours later I asked Gray what was on the poster board. He turned it around and it had every composite sketch of the occk on it. He pointed to one picture and said that’s punky. I believe the sketch on the right is the one he pointed to.
That’s punky? Is that someone’s nickname?
Is there a picture of McKinney anywhere?
Also, regarding Punky, I came across a discussion on Helen’s website. Its kinda confusing to read because it is people’s postings but they are all under Helen’s name. The third post on this link references Punky’s yearbook photo – I’m guessing that would be Hastings since everyone always mentions his yearbook pic.
https://cloakdagner.proboards.com/thread/3284/oakland-county-child-killer-feedback?q=punky
Punky is not Hastings.
Yeah I was just going to ask you to remove my comment. I read more and see that it is Gary Smentowski. From another Helen post:
Gray loved the spotlight and the new investigators seem to want to stay
out of it. It was made public that Gray was investigating Gary but for
some reason Gary was the one suspect he chose not to make his name
public. You do realize Detective Gray was very well acquainted with
Gary Smentowski? Gray knows my mother in law from 1973. Gray accepted
my mother in laws claim that I have a vendetta against my in laws. Gray
called Gary by his nickname “Punky”. Detective Gray also acknowledged
that Punky had demons.
Sorry for all the posts. Both Gray and Smentowski graduated from Centerline High School. Gray was class of 1972 and Smentowski was class of 1973. (First link shows Gray being on a list of ‘know seniors’ of Centerline High, second list is ‘in memoriam’ of deaths from 1973.)
http://dogoodforall.today/adl/Center%20Line%20High%20School%20Seniors%201972-1980.pdf
http://centerlinehighschoolmemories.weebly.com/class-of-1973.html
Gary didn’t graduate high school. Gray told me that he started school in September and then something happen to him and he dropped out. This is around the time Donna Serra went missing. After her body was found Gary enlisted and went over seas. He came back in early 1975.
Cathy, why would lots of people want an art gallery owner dead? Answer: Because there was more to him than an art gallery. But Cathy, at this late date can you explain what that was?
Google my name and John McKinney. There are numerous blog entries about this guy. And also consider: https://catherinebroad.blog/2018/07/15/more-from-2009/ .
I am skeptical of hastings because of the shady shit Dagner did like lieing about evidence to stir up attention on her website. Then she almost got Cory fired by lieing and saying she gave him tips how to question hastings. He was a good suspect. He lived Close to Bush too. But because of her and her delusional fan boys i cant take it serious. Every time i see the hardcore conspiracy theorists on this case it always comes from one of dagners people. The biggest problem I have with them is they put so much focus on hastings and void the other perps. Then when you base the case off of known physical evidence that just dissolves even more. To date sloan and gunnels are tied by evidence. Bush, green, sloan, gunnels and Lamborghine all failed polygraphs. The other problem is the depiction in this photo of the young male? Is this not the same individual that was already drawn by sketch artist who looked identical to green?? The same Greg Green who told his prison lover he got away with killing 4 kids. His prison boyfriend broke down in tears confessing that to corey. Idk. This case is a headache sometimes
Though I agree the police could have just told the public they were looking for multiple people of interest. Huge mistake to only focus on only one perp
I also feel there’s a lot of coincidental evidence implicating John Hastings. The composite alone is so much identical. I’d like a much more intense investigation. Hastings has been in and out of institutions over the years . WHY? What did Hastings drive back then ? Was it him that Polly ran into at Hunter Maple. I’m sure there’s someone out there that has something on Mr. Hastings .