Posted on 08/01/2004 5:20:43 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
SALT LAKE CITY (Aug. 1) - Authorities investigating the case of a missing woman were surprised by her relatives' announcement that new information from her husband had prompted them to tell volunteers to stop searching for her. The statement released late Saturday by the families of Mark and Lori Hacking did not say what Mark Hacking had told them.
Police were planning a news conference Sunday. Investigators said they had not heard from the Hackings' relatives and were trying to reach them.
"If they've got information that's breaking, that's something we need to hear about." Detective Phil Eslinger told The Associated Press.
Eslinger said detectives were trying to arrange a meeting with Mark Hacking's parents, Douglas and Janet Hacking, who refused to comment when contacted by The Associated Press early Sunday.
Lori Hacking, 27, has been missing since July 19, when Mark Hacking told authorities that she failed to return from an early morning jog.
Lori Hacking's father, Eraldo Soares, said late Saturday that he was unaware of any new information about his daughter.
The organized search for Lori Hacking was called off by the families earlier this week, a decision they said was made out of concern for the volunteers' safety. The search was in neighborhoods, industrial areas and canyons near the park where Lori Hacking was said to have been jogging the morning she was reported missing.
Since that day, Mark Hacking's credibility has crumbled amid revelations that he lied to his wife about enrolling at medical school in North Carolina and about graduating from the University of Utah.
The day after Mark Hacking reported his wife missing, he was taken to a psychiatric ward after he was seen running around at night naked in sandals outside a motel where he'd taken a room.
Investigators focused on Hacking, 28, after learning he was at a store buying a new mattress just before reporting his wife missing. Authorities were later seen removing a box spring from the couple's apartment. Investigators have refused to confirm reports that they found a mattress in a nearby trash bin.
Hacking has not been charged.
08-01-04 07:38 EDT
Police theory (have not said conclusive) he killed her in their apartment. They taped it off, then spent days in there gathering all types of evidence, which I agree with. He has bought a new mattress, so they were looking for the old one, found the box springs.
Then the police decided to release the apartment to the family. I just do not understand that. If a murder took place it would seem to me, you would keep the scene of the crime roped off.
It appears to be a said ending to what would have been a joyous time in HER life, having a baby.
Mark, maybe setting himself up for mental defect. He worked on that ward. To say he did this because his family is successful just seems like bunk. At least at this time.
"The family knows something the detectives don't know? That seems so unproductive."
Yes, and doesn't the family have a civic obligation to report what they know to the authorities?
Fox was reporting that the police found the mattress. Lots of cuts in it, but no blood. Weird, isn't it?
First off, thank you for responding to my post. It is not my typical post, I tend to follow politics with emphasis on the military.
This story has troubled me a great deal. If you don't mind me sharing these concerns, I would be appreciative.
At the onset, he reported her missing. But, with 24/7 news it seems every carrot the reporters got they reported. Some with grave errors and no correction.
He checked into mental health clinic. Perhaps not guilty or guilty it is the best place for him. But, when his dad came on the scene he kept saying we support Mark, he is GRIEVING which I suppose can be used for heart broken. A use of words, that many got fixed on and so did I.
Of course all the evidence that was leaking out. That bothered me as well. This is perhaps why so many folks are upset with the police. Not over reaching, just an observation. First they said the purple stuff glowed all over the walls. Then we heard, no some drops on but nothing huge. So who got this erroneous information? They found a knife, again, big deal, now toned down.
Of course the bed issue was huge. I had not heard what you had heard about cuts on the mattress Former Fetus. Again, if they feel a crime of rage, accident or murder should they release the apartment.
I say this because many places are held for quite a while, until they are certain on their findings in the event they have to return.
Jacon307, in the end, you are right, they need to report this to the cops.
They are having a news conference later today.
Again thank you for offering a reply. Have a groovy Sunday.
Having worked in law enforcement for over 10 years, and having worked many murders, it is not uncommon at all to release the crime scene after you are done. They spend several days examining that apartment. They had probably done all they could, or found all they could. Once they have examined all that is there they have no need to keep it sealed. Remember, what they could, they took out of there themselves for further examination. So really, what is left is either inconsequential stuff, or stuff that is nailed down. And the stuff that is nailed down is gone over as they say "with a fine tooth comb". Don't be concerned with this situation. They got all they could get I'm sure.
Maybe after hubby revealed himself as, shall we say unstable,she ran off to live with 'Mungo' her new 'stud muffin.' That is why the family called off the search?
There's another article that says the Hacking family went to the police station last night.
Everything I know about the Hacking family -- except Mark -- tells me that if they get information, they will do the right thing.
May she rest in peace. At least she's rid of that evil nut job forever.
jeffery McDonald ex Green Beret
I so appreciate your clarification. I suppose the way the facts have been given in the last 2 weeks, when they released the crime scene the very day that they (leaked) said her death happened in the apartment just did not sit well with me.
The other reason I posed this, while it was long ago, the family of Jeffery McDonald, the doctor and Army SF, stationed at FT Bragg, was tried and then retried but through it all, the house stayed vacant. I am sure there are other reasons, but, that is why I said that.
Tragic story all the way around.
sw
I never doubted their integrity, it was the way the media is covering this missing person.
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