Elizabeth Smart Case - Ricci Dies in Hospital

FoxNews | 8/30/02

[stlnative]

Richard Ricci Dies in Hospital

AP
Richard Ricci

Friday, August 30, 2002

SALT LAKE CITY — Richard Albert Ricci, the top potential suspect in the kidnapping of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, died at a hospital Friday.

Ricci, 48, had been hospitalized for three days after suffering from a brain hemorrhage and collapsing in his jail cell, doctors said.

Earlier Friday, doctors had said Ricci had an irreversible injury to the brain stem after the hemorrhage Tuesday night.

The former handyman for the Smart family was not charged in the disappearance and denied involvement. He was in prison for a parole violation.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Rick Dinse this week reaffirmed that Ricci remained at the top of the list of potential suspects in Elizabeth's abduction. However, investigators were no closer to finding the missing 14-year-old than they were June 5, when a gunman took her from the bedroom she was sharing with her younger sister.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Neenah]

I'm a book editor

That is soooo interesting !! I would love to be in that industry. I love books !! I bet your job is challenging and interesting at the same time!

Nothing better than a hot cup of Cocoa, a blanket, a fire in the fireplace, snow falling outside and a great book to crawl into and live for awhile !

[TXLady]

<[>The man was Caucasian, had dark hair and was about 5-foot-8, Moul said.

I don't recall ever seeing the description of the man before. Why was there never a composite drawing of this man put out? I'm sure this has been discussed before and I just missed it. Couldn't a sketch artist or profiler have done this with Moul?

[Neenah]

But if I were in the Smarts position I'd do the same.

I agree, sandude. It is easy to sound brave and know it all on a thread, but if I were in that position, and I was once....I would be screaming !! We tend to forget the highest form of pain is to loose one of your children.

That being said, it is not a put down to the family. They did a job the best way they knew how with so much wonderful help, and had the opportunity to have the media attention. That is a blessing that may still work toward the finding of Elizabeth. Common sense says, at this time...rest.

[Sherlock]

And today, the bombshell (at least to me), that Moul offered Richard a ride.

I'm not sure it's that significant.

What I find significant is LE apparently decided not to release that Moul believed Ricci left the repair shop in a blue van. Now why in the world would they have not released that? Someone may well have seen someone with a blue van taking a post hole digger out of it in this time period or acting suspiciously in some other way. This person leaving Moul's with Ricci is the key witness they've repeatedly claimed they've been trying to find. Design or incompetence?

[TheDon]

Burton's list (Dan Burton takes on Saudi tyranny - my title) Townhall.com ^ | August 31, 2002 | Joel Mowbray

Arriving in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Thursday night and armed with a sense of purpose--and a list of 14 names--Chairman Dan Burton (R-IN) is leading a bipartisan delegation attempting to do something the State Department has stubbornly refused to do for nearly two decades: rescue kidnapped American children (some of whom are now young adults) trapped in the desert prison.

click to read rest of article

[TXLady]

Nothing better than a hot cup of Cocoa, a blanket, a fire in the fireplace, snow falling outside and a great book to crawl into and live for awhile !

I love the sound of that! I could use some of that snow right now too. Unfortunately we don't have too much of that in Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Matter of fact it is in the 80's at 9:00 in the evening. Can't complain too much though, we haven't had the 100+ that we have had in past years. We really just have two seasons. Hot and not so.

[Sherlock]

I mean no disrespect to Mr. and Mrs. Smart. I know they are so frustrated, but really, I pray they rest, and let the PD do their job. The media can't stay on it with nothing more to go by. When something comes up again, let the PD do what they do.

The Smarts are doing a masterful job. This is just starting to get interesting. The media isn't going anywhere.

[Sherlock]

Neenah posted article and source, #254.

This is the article from today. I meant I thought I read about the chair in the early days of the case.

[Sherlock]

Couldn't a sketch artist or profiler have done this with Moul?

It was discussed and guessed maybe it was because of the distance. However as I said other articles also pointed out Moul said he was athletic. And this description matches the milkman's guy, the convenience store video, the security guard's guy, and the searchers guy.

I did come across an early article from the first few days in Brigette's files today that said they made a composite drawing but decided not to release it for purposes of the investigation, whatever that means. I'll try to find it.

[Sherlock]

I'm starting to agree with you that Ricci was the kidnapper but I'm still not 100% sure. I think the other guy would not have been very far away.

[TXLady]

Thanks, I had not seen that article either, about a composite ever being done. Strange that they wouldn't see the need to release it.

[homeschool mama]

Blessings to you. <><

[Neenah]

What is going on???

sing along

[Utah Girl]

Here is some information I found on lds.org about priesthood blessings. BTW, all worthy LDS males hold the priesthood, starting at age 12.

Priesthood ordinances are sacred acts given by the Lord and performed by the authority of the priesthood . Priesthood blessings are given by the authority of the priesthood for healing, comfort, and encouragement. Brethren who perform ordinances and blessings should prepare themselves by living according to gospel principles and striving to be guided by the Holy Spirit. They should perform each ordinance and blessing in a dignified manner and comply with the following requirements; the ordinance should be:

1. Performed in the name of Jesus Christ.

2. Performed by the authority of the priesthood .

3. Performed with any necessary procedures, such as using specified words or using consecrated oil.

4. Authorized by the designated priesthood leader who holds the proper keys, if necessary.

************************************************
Please go to this link if you want to read more. Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings

[Sherlock]

At least two nearby residents called authorities overnight to report hearing the rumble of motorcycles, said Salt Lake County Sheriff 's Office spokeswoman Peggy Faulkner.