Some OPs mentioned Oefelein being on leave from JSC, but I had only seen that he was in FL briefly to help out with the investigation. Now there's confirmation that he took a leave to be with Shipman there ...
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4539394.html
" ... Astronaut Bill Oefelein has taken leave from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to join girlfriend Colleen Shipman in Florida following the alleged attack on her by astronaut Lisa Nowak, a space agency official said Thursday.
In fact, Oefelein asked for the time off Monday after Shipman, an Air Force captain stationed at Cape Canaveral, told him about the early morning confrontation with Nowak at Orlando International Airport.
Oefelein quickly reported the incident to chief astronaut Steve Lindsey, putting NASA on alert about the events that have led to charges of attempted murder against Nowak, NASA official Ellen Ochoa told reporters Thursday.
...
Ochoa, whose duties as director of NASA flight crew operations include supervision of the agency's 135 astronauts, confirmed Thursday that there is a romantic link between Oefelein, 41, and Shipman, 30.
Oefelein, a divorced Navy commander, was granted leave to spend a week with Shipman, an Air Force captain, Ochoa said. He and Shipman have not spoken publicly about the attack
...
Ochoa characterized Shipman as the shuttle pilot's girlfriend, but would not discuss the nature of the relationship between Oefelein and Nowak ... "
Interesting! I was wondering about O-boy, how it was that he went to FL to "help" with the investigation. Did the cops call him to come down there? Or did he go because he is dating Shipman and was concerned for her having been through this terrible ordeal? Looks like the latter is the case.
If O-boy lives in Houston, and Shipman was there for business, wouldn't she take a little bit of time to visit with him while she's in town?
I am wondering about the nature of Nowak's relationship with O-boy, if he is seemingly in a committed relationship with Shipman now. Maybe the thing with Nowak ended a few months ago, and it had been a long affair, and Nowak just couldn't get over it? Or maybe she liked him for a long time, and they messed around briefly fairly recently, and then he started dating Shipman, and Nowak was overwhelmed with jealousy because he was having a real relationship with Shipman and not her?
Accused astronaut comes out of her seclusion
Exclusive video captures Lisa Nowak at JSC
By Miya Shay
(2/09/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - On Friday afternoon, NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak ventured away from her Clear Lake house and went to Johnson Space Center.
Nowak drove clear across the United States to confront a romantic rival. She faces attempted murder charges, but is out on bond.
Since returning home to Houston on Wednesday astronaut Lisa Nowak has remained in seclusion -- until Friday -- and our cameras were there.
Wearing a windbreaker and sunglasses, Lisa Nowak ventured out of her Clear Lake area home around 9:30am. She was accompanied by astronaut Steve Bowen, who drove her to the Johnson Space Center.
NASA officials confirmed that Nowak was undergoing more medical evaluations at the space center. But as the exclusive video shows, Nowak and Bowen initially had problems getting into the NASA building, waiting several minutes outside until finally getting inside.
In the meantime, astronaut Bill Oefelein, the man Nowak was apparently pining for, has taken a leave of absence from NASA.
Back in Clear Lake, Nowak has been supported by a tight knit group of neighbors who remain leery of the media. Nowak's parents, who have been with her since Wednesday, were seen bringing groceries home around midday. And early Friday afternoon, Nowak returned from Johnson Space Center. Offering no comments to the awaiting media, she headed back into seclusion.
Behind the scenes, NASA is re-evaluating portions of its astronaut program. In the meantime, Nowak related photos and souvenirs are selling for big bucks. (Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)