Smart Case: Possible New Suspect?

Deseret News ^ | September 6, 2002 | Brady Snyder

[Utah Girl]

Yes, but the stress wouldn't be so new and unknown. Anyway...

[varina davis]

Yes, but the stress wouldn't be so new and unknown. Anyway...

It's the lack of companionship, Utah Girl, not the newness of fatherhood!

[landerwy]

I'm not saying he didn't do, but there are literally hundreds of bishops and former bishops in the area. If he knew the Smarts then there might be something to think about. There are some common interests and circumstances.

[Palladin]

The additional stress on a husband is caused by the restriction of sexual activity during the latter months of pregnancy. Abstinence is dictated for 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after birth.

Of course, marathon running is an activity known as a good stress reliever.

We'll just have to see how Mr. Dixon pans out as a suspect.

On an early thread, some wise poster stated that it will probably turn out to be someone who was never even on the radar who kidnapped Elizabeth.

I don't think Dixon has any priors. At least, he is not on the Utah Sex Offenders List.

[varina davis]

I don't think Dixon has any priors. At least, he is not on the Utah Sex Offenders List.

It will be interesting to see if any other children come forward with complaints in the week(s) ahead.

[varina davis]

Spore, do you recall if any story about Dixon mentioned when he would have a court appearance? Thanks.

[varina davis]

Thanks, spore. Also curious about the address of the grandparents of Liz. In the Dixon neighborhood or area?

[Palladin]

This shows proximity of Smart House (top), Grandfather Francom's House (second to top), Dixon's Residence (second to bottom), Dixon's Ward House (bottom).

Credits to poster Aresin on Crime&Punishment Forum.

[Palladin]

As you can see on this map, while the Ward House of Dixon is 5 miles from the Smart home, the residence of Dixon is less than a mile from the Francom residence. It is not unlikely that Dixon, being a neighbor of the senior Francoms, may have stopped on to pay his respects when the elder Francom died. This may be the connection we have been looking for between the Francom funeral, and the disappearance of Elizabeth two days later.

It amazes me how those on the other thread try to make it appear as if Dixon were on the other side of the planet from the Smarts, when in reality he is a neighbor of the grandparents.

"A person trusted in the neighborhood or community". UH HUH!

[landerwy]

In my opinion a trusted neighbor or community leader in SLC area would be someone with more visibility than a bishop. There are hundreds of Bishops in the SLC area. A bishop is the leader of approximately 500 people which comprises a ward. In that particular area that would probably encompass 4 or five blocks of houses.

I have a relative that lives at about 3900 South. His ward encompasses three blocks.

While It is possible Dixon knew the Francoms, it is unlikely that they did so on a neighborly, or ongoing basis.

It would be interesting to know the boundaries of the ward Dixon was bishop of.

[Palladin]

I'm not sure that map from the other website is correct. Spore, you have the correct address for Myron L. Francom. I have to look that one up on mapquest.

landerwy, you're right--their paths may never have crossed as neighbors. But as co-religionists?

Here's Francom's obit, for review. Is his Ward near Dixon's Ward?

Myron LeGrande Francom
Saturday, June 1, 2002

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Myron LeGrande Francom died May 29, 2002 at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

Myron was born January 6, 1921 in Salt Lake City, Utah to William LeGrande and Laura Boley Francom. He married his eternal sweetheart, Genevieve Pettit on November 14, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple.

He served honorably in World War II and loved his country. He worked at the Deseret News Press for over 30 years and found it a great blessing to set the type for many Church magazines and books. His greatest love was reserved for his family. Myron and Jenny were blessed with nine children, 51 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren who were the center of Dad's life. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints having faithfully magnified many callings throughout his life, including over 25 years of service in the Salt Lake Temple. He served as the President of the Philippines Manila Temple with his companion from 1993 to 1996, and continued thereafter as a sealer in the Salt Lake Temple. Dad's greatest qualities were faith, integrity, and devotion to his wife and family and love for his Savior. Families are Forever.

Myron is survived by his eternal companion Jenny of 60 years; children, Laura Parr (John), Myron L. Jr. (Beverly), Mark S. (Janice), Carolyn Joy Bradford (Kenneth), Michael A. (Lorna), Genevieve Wright (Steven), Stanford L. (Terry), Lois Smart (Edward), David B. (Carolyn). He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother and both sisters.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 3, 2002 at 12:00 noon at the East Millcreek 15th Ward building, 3750 S. Hillside Lane (2500 E.), Salt Lake City. Friends may call Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the church on Monday from 10:30-11:45 a.m. prior to the services.

Note: I find these addresses very confusing, with the East and the South, etc. I would have a tough time driving around SLC.

[landerwy]

2345 E Neffs Ln Holladay UT 84109

That is within 4 blocks of my relatives parents.

I don't know if they are in the same Stake or not, that is a cluster of about 8 wards. If they were they would have a chance of knowing each other otherwise it would be tough.

[Palladin]

Here's a link to the map of Francom's place. The star marks the spot. It does appear close to Dixon's house and his Ward House.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?zoom=9&mapdata=jZ2g%2b%2fXW8V%2bWIc0rKdpa25v3TQh%2bL5zZ%2fTg3pOqERrAU2rUaGuXPIGNVSJu3vir0FZAFk1UDOtRNo%2fDkrqOzHY5%2fHSDrizR39k7Du9qmRg6YgU1fiCtn3PSfEr%2fs7D8guZb3jhuyhwkzaO43T4oyQg%2fDuPfXCzeMi3AG8E2xLq72VsI0PMqag77aIjn13zCVCh9%2b%2fN4uvnet8Y6nMQMQanHTMaNtDXFuJvJc%2fq%2fHmUmNiXydZO%2bntroM1%2fxULTOyOGn9WVqKYCh8Q%2bUMT%2bazZp1gxtlu5uAB0F64YZWVCRvWq0QU9G4ij0NyfGqBSEbIFT0Kx0qgMN7x7uKqU1IN9FXI7%2fiGMGNv%2fRyB5VOmVgmbxiV5ZY9TB7WtGSspD4JU

Do you ever discuss the case with your relatives' parents? Do they personally know any of the principals?

[landerwy]

I've talked with him some but they don't really know them. They live just off 3900 south about five blocks away but as I said there are so many LDS church members there it is hard to know everyone outside of your ward. That area is in a different ward and from what I understand it is in a different stake.

[varina davis]

landerwy, you're right--their paths may never have crossed as neighbors. But as co-religionists?

Their paths needn't have crossed at all for him to have met Elizabeth while running or jogging. Or even when she visited her grandparents and was out walking around.

She wouldn't have thought a thing about being friendly with a LDS bishop -- perfectly innocent. They may have even exchanged an e-mail ot two. Just possibilities.

[varina davis]

If this is a potential suspect, it wouldn't be necessary for commonality of relgion or parental friendship to have been involved at all. Much more likely, it seems, for a common interest in the sport of running, jogging, etc. to have been a catalyst for getting acquainted -- even if just briefly.

That said, the proximity of all the Smart family homes to the neighborhood in question, is also very interesting.

[Palladin]

All in all, if the FBI and the SLCPD are not looking seriously at this fellow Dixon, they SHOULD be.