A key piece of evidence
Detectives have had no luck tracking down the origins of a hat that Audrey Harris’ killer left behind. Can you help?
The cap is dark in color and bears the words: “Gillette Coal Mine Rescue Team.”
Police Inspector Kyle Eastridge said detectives have checked with coal mining companies in Gillette, WY, and Gillette, W. Va. — but to no avail.
Have you seen such a hat before?
Do you know which mining company issued such hats?
Do you know anyone who had one like it?
This information could be crucial.
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Comments
Something to think about maybe the killer was once trapped in a mine, the cap given to him by the mine rescue team. Maybe being trapped drove him crazy. Also since there seem to be no further killings of this type, he probably committed suicide. I wonder if anyone checked out the suicides shortly after this crime.
Who knows check out what happened to all the rescued trapped miners.
The article states that the police checked with coal mining companies in Gillette, WY, and Gillette, WV, regarding the cap. Have they checked with the individuals associated with the “International Surface Mine Rescue Competition?” This competition is held in Gillette annually and 2007 was the 27th annual competition, so the competition was in place prior to 1989. Perhaps participants in this event have “team” caps made.
Also, the US Dept of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) may be another potential resource. They are involved in an annual contest called “The National Mine Rescue Contest” which includes metal and non-metal (i.e, coal) portions. A review of photos from the previous contest show different sort of “team” caps. This contest has also been in place prior to 1989.
At the very least, perhaps a description of the cap in question could be placed at these events, or websites, where members of the coal mining rescue team culture gather. Someone in that arena would be more likely to recognize such a cap.
These are all great ideas! I’ll forward them along to cold case detectives.
Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Ken
I did some checking online and discovered an article regarding the
practice drills of mine rescue teams and one miner, who is discussed on this link says of his earlier accident that they didn’t have mine rescue teams as such, but “fellow miners and EMT’s from the surface.” It seems to me, as the facts suggest, this person had some knowledge of the human body/condition. That may have already been determined by law enforcement before. However, I thought it was interesting. Here’s the link:
http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/articles/2007/08/19/news/news03.txt
Yours,
James Sullivan Daniel, Esq.
Hornbeek, Vitali and Braun, PLLC
Oklahoma City, OK
I worked for years for Kerr McGee Corporation, in Cushing, OK. and OKC. I visited our (at the time) Jacobs Ranch Mine, near Gillette, WY. Although I have never seen a cap like the one described, I know that Jacobs Ranch had a mine rescue team; I have a shirt/shoulder patch here at home on the wall. Mine says Jacobs Ranch Mine Rescue Team, shows three figures on rope in a mine and has the old KM logo on it. I doubt that what I have is meaningful, but you never know.