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October 02, 2006
Another Drunken Drowning or Murder?
Another young man, Lucas Homan, a student at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, has gone "missing" after partying with some friends at the Oktoberfest:
He fits the profile of the previous young men who were found drowned in the Mississippi River after disappearing from a bar in La Crosse. Homan is 21, an athlete, tall, and caucasian, similar to Jared Dion, the student whose "drowning" instigated a Town Meeting in La Crosse where citizens demanded an investigation into a possible serial killer.
The (theoretical) killer took a year off, or moved to a different location, and has returned to his favorite stomping grounds. Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the bars.
Even the Crime Library has a story about this mysterious set of "coincidences."
More to follow - here is another story that includes Homan's picture:
Comments
There has been a missing student from Ohio State since last spring.The young med student was drinking with friends in the Columbus bars and was never seen again.
Maybe he didn't take a year off but changed towns.
Posted by: DR. Demento | October 2, 2006 12:36 AM
How many does it take before somebody pays attention?
Posted by: Dr. Hermann Einstein | October 2, 2006 12:38 AM
Loretta, I am very upset about the recent turn of events, but I am so happy that you have decided to cover this oddity. (again)
I may not live anywhere near there, but I have known for a while that something is UP!
All those young men are smiling down on you. At least you have tried!
GOD, how many more have to die?
Posted by: Dr. Courtney | October 2, 2006 01:58 AM
Good morning all!
Very sad to see that there is another missing young man. How suspicious does it need to get?
As for the political stuff...good Gawd!
Posted by: Dr Meredith Grey | October 2, 2006 04:40 AM
I don't know if you've read about this missing student from Ohio, but I saw it in the news the other day. I wonder if it is related as well?
Good morning!
http://www.nbc4i.com/news/8768072/detail.html
Posted by: Marcus Welby, MD | October 2, 2006 07:51 AM
There was a Columbus case, not long ago, but it deviates a little from the profile of the usual victim. Here is a rundown of the boys who are "drowning in coincidence," from Vance's site:
Posted by: Dr. Kildare | October 2, 2006 07:54 AM
Thanks for the link to Vance's site.
Are there any colleges in towns that don't have rivers?
Posted by: Dr. Hermann Einstein | October 2, 2006 08:46 AM
Geez! That Foley freak is blaming his behaviour on substance abuse??
Friggin' pervert!
Posted by: Dr Meredith Grey | October 2, 2006 09:07 AM
Anything to avoid taking responsibility for his actions, Dr. Grey!
Posted by: Dr. Hermann Einstein | October 2, 2006 09:44 AM
Sorry. Being drunk or a drunkard is no excuse for being a pervert who likes young boys. Maybe Foley is really a sex addict (most likely) and his alcoholism is just a secondary addiction that will need to be treated first before he can address his other addiction(s) - but it's not the main problem.
His main problem is probably not even treatable. He should go to jail because if a regular Joe got caught doing that, HE would be going to jail.
Alcohol usually enhances the kind of person you are. It does not turn you into Mr Hyde.
Posted by: Dr. Kildare | October 2, 2006 09:58 AM
For example, if you are a mean or angry SOB, alcohol brings that out. You get into altercations, pick fights, drive fast, act like a d*ck.
If you are a clown when you are sober, you just get more ridiculous and loud when you drink.
If you are kind of depressed, you usually get maudlin or weepy.
And you get the picture.
If Foley was a pervert, he just got MORE perverted with a few drinks. It did not MAKE him a pervert. He was a pervert stone cold sober first thing in the morning.
Posted by: Dr. Kildare | October 2, 2006 10:01 AM
Apparently Dr. Condi Rice is experiencing early stages of Alzheimers:
Sounds like Ronald Reagan to me.
Posted by: Dr. Kildare | October 2, 2006 10:09 AM
Hmmmm. So many coincidences makes it seem not so coincidental, doesn't it. Thanks for the articles and entry.
Posted by: Dr. Dolittle | October 2, 2006 10:38 AM
I agree with Dr Kildare. Drink makes his perversion worse but it should not be used as an excuse.
He is kidding himself if he thinks he did these things because he was drunk. That would mean he was drunk at work.
There are few inhibitions left after a night on the booze. JMHO of course.
Posted by: Dr Meredith Grey | October 2, 2006 10:47 AM
Until tomorrow, Ciao!
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 2, 2006 11:49 AM
Foley had the endorsement of the Church of Scientology:
Politics makes strange bedfellows.
Posted by: Dr. Kildare | October 2, 2006 12:08 PM
Seen this yet?
http://www.worldcantwait.net/
Posted by: Dr. Giggles | October 2, 2006 01:08 PM
Hi Loretta,
I know I haven't been here in a few years, but this new drowning made me think of you guys.
They pulled his body from the river this morning around 8:30am. Sure wish the news had been different, but I knew in the back of my mind what the outcome would be.
Posted by: Sara in WI | October 2, 2006 01:21 PM
I sure hope this one will convince them to investigate this as a serial killer.
So sad.
Posted by: Ben Casey | October 2, 2006 02:47 PM
There are way too many of these drownings to be a coincidence.
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 2, 2006 03:00 PM
The Church of Scientology endorsed Foley.
Now there's an organization full of level headed individuals.
Will Tom Cruise be running for President?
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 2, 2006 03:11 PM
Now here's a hard-working individual. Interesting stuff:
http://ignoranceisntbliss.com/
Posted by: Dr. Giggles | October 2, 2006 04:50 PM
La Crosse police found the body of a La Crosse student who disappeared Saturday after this weekend’s Oktoberfest celebration.
Search and rescue teams found 21-year-old Lucas Homen’s body in the Mississippi River near Riverside Park around 10 a.m. Monday morning.
Authorities will take Homen’s body to Hastings, Minnesota, for a forensic autopsy.
La Crosse police are still trying to figure out why Homen disappeared.
~~~
If they haven't thought of a serial killer yet--what will it take?
Posted by: DrKevorkian | October 2, 2006 06:48 PM
I shaved my head for Jasmine.
If you need a laugh, come and see!
Posted by: vero | October 2, 2006 07:32 PM
You rock, Vero!
What a sweet thing to do.
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 2, 2006 11:07 PM
A little comic relief:
Posted by: Dr. Kildare | October 3, 2006 12:20 AM
Oops. Here's the link to the post:
http://ronnisrants.blogspot.com/2006/10/hey-jasmine.html#links
Posted by: vero | October 3, 2006 01:20 AM
Ooh boy! There is a definite nip in the air this morning.
I managed to work out how to heat the apartment last night. As our hostess would say "Now, we are cooking with gas"!
Good morning to each and every one of you!
BTW. At least the sun is shining.
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 3, 2006 04:17 AM
Another young man is dead under suspicious circumstances. Let us hope LE thinks so too.
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 3, 2006 04:25 AM
I just cannot stand by and see you called a liar and a bad mother, Loretta.
Your honesty about your life and your opinions about world affairs is a remarkable quality. It shows bravery and self-assurance. The fact that is missed by many is that they are personal opinions
You know who I am, therefore, I would like you to leave this comment right were it is....
Seeing people going against their own personal values and better judgement, in order to support these lies, is getting me down. May their lack of shame and decency come back to bite them...
Don't go changin'....!
Posted by: Sick of the Lies! | October 3, 2006 05:34 AM
People who spend years being antagonistic and spiteful show no moral compass.
Now,I'm done!
Posted by: Sick of the Lies! | October 3, 2006 05:44 AM
Good morning, Bgt. Do we know someone from Greenville, SC?
These trolls are funny! Call See Pee Ess. Call the Eff Bee Eye. Call the Marines! Call Homeland Security.
While all around them their rights are being slowly taken from them, their government more corrupt and incompetent, the system is failing and they are spending their time worried about me?
That's hilarious.
Posted by: Dr. Kildare | October 3, 2006 07:45 AM
Their evil alter-egos are taking over. Permanently!
Heckle and hide?! (see what I did there)?
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 3, 2006 08:02 AM
By the way, in case anyone clicks on the link to my bald picture and doesn't read the entry or the other entries on the subject, here's why I did it.
My daughter has a friend whose 11-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma. The child is 11, and one of her biggest fears regarding chemo was the probablility of losing her hair.
That happened on Saturday.
I had promised that, if she lost her hair, I would shave mine, in sympathy.
You don't break a promise to an 11-year-old with cancer.
Jut so that friendly strangers don't assume I'm a total nutter.
Posted by: vero | October 3, 2006 09:27 AM
Whoa! Op-Ed on today's Washington Post: RESIGN, MR. SPEAKER!
Hastert is such an ass.
Posted by: Dr. Kildare | October 3, 2006 09:42 AM
Jasmine will think you are the greatest person alive now, Vero.
Positive thoughts for that beautiful little girl.
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 3, 2006 09:43 AM
They just don't get it! Nothing stays a secret anymore.
The good old "Boys Club" mentality at work.
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 3, 2006 09:50 AM
NAMBLA coming out in support of Foley:
LHAT!! Boy, that will help him a lot!
Posted by: Dr. Kildare | October 3, 2006 09:51 AM
Wait till Jon Stewart gets hold of this one...!
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 3, 2006 09:54 AM
Milo at Jones Alley is already referring to Foley as "R-NAMBLA," instead of whatever his putative constituency.
Posted by: Dr Hermann Einstein | October 3, 2006 11:22 AM
Bye everyone!
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 3, 2006 12:00 PM
Hi,Sara in WI. We haven't heard from you since Baby #2 was a newborn. I hope that all is well with you and yours.
I have the same birthday as your daughter. Remember?
From what I have read, it seems that the authorities are not only ignoring the possiblity of a serial killer, but dismissing the possibility as unrealistic.
Vero, you are a true friend and you enrich so many lives.
Posted by: DR. Demento | October 3, 2006 12:28 PM
Hi,Sara in WI. We haven't heard from you since Baby #2 was a newborn. I hope that all is well with you and yours.
I have the same birthday as your daughter. Remember?
From what I have read, it seems that the authorities are not only ignoring the possiblity of a serial killer, but dismissing the possibility as unrealistic.
Vero, you are a true friend and you enrich so many lives.
Posted by: DR. Demento | October 3, 2006 12:29 PM
NAMBLA coming out in support of Foley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Why don't they just call themselves The Pedophile Support Unit?
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 3, 2006 01:37 PM
Here's a link to Jasmine's pictures.
http://caringbridge.org/cb/photoMainView.do
Posted by: Dr Hermann Einstein | October 3, 2006 01:48 PM
Hi Sara in WI,
I haven't been here since starting law school, but came back b/c of the Homan drowning.... I'll be interested to hear your inside perspective.
Posted by: ang in wi | October 3, 2006 03:55 PM
Gosh, I've missed posting on here. I have been keeping up (I think) with the latest posts, at least since 9/11.
Nice to 'see' everyone, and to read the great writing by our hostess that has always kept me coming back.
Life has been busy, but the misfits are thought of often and fondly! Stay well.
Posted by: Kris | October 3, 2006 04:38 PM
Now Foley is saying (thru a lawyer) that he was "abused as a youth."
Thar ya go. Another excuse. First he's a drunk, now he's a victim.
Whaaaa whaaaa
Trow his azz in jail!
Posted by: Dr. McCoy | October 3, 2006 06:33 PM
Kris! Sarah! Good to see both of you.
Posted by: Dr Hermann Einstein | October 3, 2006 08:07 PM
More of Foley's Instant Messages on ABC:
there are other stories on that page.
Barbaric.
Posted by: Dr. McCoy | October 3, 2006 09:02 PM
Wonderful to see you, as well! No place else like this on the web!
Posted by: Kris | October 3, 2006 09:24 PM
Ain't it the truth!
Posted by: Dr Hermann Einstein | October 3, 2006 10:04 PM
About the LaCrosse drownings; the chapters, "A Truly Bizarre Fetish" and "Something Troubling" from the Crime Library was just that.
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 3, 2006 11:58 PM
Interesting too, that Brown's subject was very clear on which states he'd steer clear of drowning his victims because of the death penalty laws in those states.
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 4, 2006 12:02 AM
Foley was sexually abused but "could not" name the clergyman? Nah! I'm not having it and neither will America.
Looks like he is going to claim diminished capacity over the instant messages. Therefore, nothing is his fault?
A pedophile and a GAY are two different things. Is he trying to say that he is only a pedophile if he target little girls.
He is trying to give GAY men a bad name. Slimey b@stard!
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 4, 2006 04:20 AM
Good morning, BTW
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 4, 2006 04:21 AM
Unfortunate poll results for the Pacaderms and Dubya:
Posted by: Dr. McCoy | October 4, 2006 08:37 AM
SF Chron article on FoleyGate that goes back 10 years:
Posted by: Dr. McCoy | October 4, 2006 08:54 AM
That makes me think Foley was getting more brazen as the years went on.
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 4, 2006 09:11 AM
So today in the La Crosse Tribune, the police chief is saying that it was binge drinking, case closed. He knows that b/c police picked up a friend of Luke's at 9am that night, and the friend was very intoxicated.
Therefore, I guess, Luke was also drunk, and Luke then went to the river voluntarily and somehow fell in. This police chief has amazing powers of detection just from that simple fact.
They need to get rid of the chief. I was glad to see, though, that the autopsy and toxicology are being done in a larger MN town.
Posted by: ang in WI | October 4, 2006 09:45 AM
I suppose they can perpetuate that excuse forever. The killer counts on that. No evidence to the contrary, and "everyone" knows that college boys drink to excess every chance they get; after all, didn't you see "Animal House?"
Posted by: Dr Hermann Einstein | October 4, 2006 10:20 AM
Thanks for the welcome back. We are all fine, thanks for asking. Baby #2 (Sam) is 1 1/2 already, Isabel is 3 1/2.
As for another "accidental drowning"...phooey! The dismissal of this as binge drinking infuriates me. Last night on the local news, they had a psych professor on that said a serial killer is just an urban legend and the people of La Crosse are just looking for something to blame this on. I just don't understand. Although, if you look at the previous deaths, you would almost think that this has come full circle. The first one occurred during Oktoberfest in 1997 and the most recent was opening weekend of Oktoberfest this year.
Posted by: Sara in WI | October 4, 2006 10:43 AM
Hey, Sara! Nice to see you! That tape of the town meeting is really interesting to watch, now. Thanks again for sending it.
Regarding FoleyGate, my favorite name for it:
La Cage Aux Foley
Dang, I wish I'd thought of it.
Matt Drudge really shows his colors:
Posted by: loretta | October 4, 2006 10:48 AM
Isn't it funny that when a Republican gets in this sort of trouble, it's no big deal, but when a Democrat does, it's impeachment city?
At least Monica was over the age line!
I agree with you, Loretta--the bums are throwing themselves out!
I'm betting that a few folks are regretting Ken Starr's vendetta against Clinton.
Posted by: Dr Hermann Einstein | October 4, 2006 11:27 AM
Have a wonderful day, everybody! Ciao
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 4, 2006 11:53 AM
Darn, I missed Dr Grey again.
Sara in WI, I remember you from way back when. It's good to see you.
I agree with ang in WI. That police chief needs to be replaced by someone more competent and willing to investigate ALL the possibilities in those drownings.
The dismissal of the drownings as nothing but binge drinking gone bad is an insult to the dead men as well as their parents and the community.
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 4, 2006 12:15 PM
Thanks to all who bought SCG last month and in August. There were a total of 85 and 29 books sold from online booksellers. I am really surprised that it is still selling after over a year. If it had been a mass-market paperback as originally marketed to publishers, it would be out of print and not available any more.
The POD route allows your book to be available indefinitely. That is one advantage. Plus, you do make more royalties.
Thanks again!
Posted by: loretta | October 4, 2006 12:23 PM
Congratulations on the book sales.
You GO, Loretta!
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 4, 2006 12:56 PM
What makes Drudge a true hypocrite is the fact that he's gay himself!
Posted by: Dr. Atomic | October 4, 2006 05:16 PM
The sequel to Peter Pan comes out tomorrow and I hope that a lot of people consider buying it. Here's the back story if you want to know why:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4630636.stm
Posted by: Dr. Who | October 4, 2006 07:04 PM
BAC on Luke is out. .32 BAC. But here's the thing - it's generally accepted that at .40 you go into a coma. Over .25 you are generally so uncoordinated so you can't function barely to walk. Stages are here - http://www.intox.com/physiology.asp
He would be really out of it.
Sara in WI - did you hear anything about his clothes? A nurse at Gundersen Lutheran told my aunt that they found Luke's clothes folded on the bank of the river. (4th hand info, I know - but if true would convince me of a killer)
My aunt and father both think that there's been a rise in gangs in LaX and maybe this is some gang initiation.
Posted by: ang in WI | October 4, 2006 08:11 PM
I can believe the part about the rise in gangs because it's reaching areas that are not usually the types of places where gangs are found. I think it's becoming "popular" again unfortunately.
Posted by: Dr. Who | October 4, 2006 08:19 PM
To resurrect old theories - we also talked about a woman who would lure the boys. The biggest question was why do these guys suddenly disappear and then how do they end up down by the river? Dion's friends just turned around and he was gone. Sounds like this was similar...
Posted by: Ang in WI | October 4, 2006 08:23 PM
That's a new theory. I don't think it's very viable, but it's something.
.30+ BAC is unbelievable. We could have predicted that. I think these boys are being given a drug.
Posted by: loretta | October 4, 2006 08:26 PM
New theory = gang related, not the seductress theory.
I still think someone is slipping something into the last drink that the guys have and it takes effect just after they get up to leave. Then, they are vulnerable.
They are being taken, and then put in the water. What happens in the interim is anyone's guess.
Posted by: loretta | October 4, 2006 08:27 PM
This article supports my theory:
One of them survived.
Posted by: loretta | October 4, 2006 08:35 PM
I got the forwarded email from the kid who fell in and got out. He's from Viroqua (dad's hometown) and cannot remember what happened to him between the hours of bar time and pulling himself out of the river. However, he contends that he had not had that much to drink. Not enough to black out at any rate.
I think the roofies theory is viable, too.
Another forum has a post from a "family friend" that said the family had stated they had a video of Luke ordering fast food after bar time and he was not staggering. Also there are eyewitness accounts that Luke was almost home that night, and that would be in the opposite direction of the river. None of this has been in the news - so take it for what it's worth.
Posted by: ang in wi | October 4, 2006 08:47 PM
The gang theory is interesting. However, most crime is race to race, i.e., white on white or black on black.
I think someone is luring them to the water, either acting as though they need help, or as a seduction.
Posted by: Doc Adams | October 4, 2006 08:49 PM
Our tax dollars at work:
And you thought blogging at work was bad? At least it's not orn-pay and gambling.
Posted by: Doctor Spock | October 4, 2006 09:17 PM
That is true for street violence but not for initiations into gangs. The act would be specific to what was asked of the one being initiated. Sometimes the gender and race are specified.
Posted by: Dr. Who | October 4, 2006 09:18 PM
I feel so bad. Last week when I was in a burn-and-purge mood re my file system, I threw out my "Lost Boys" files. I forgot these crimes aree seasonal and I could kick myself.
Posted by: Dr. Atomic | October 5, 2006 01:34 AM
Morning!
I cannot believe that anyone folds their clothes neatly in a pile when they are pie-eyed drunk! Whether it applies in this case or not.
The same safety rule should apply to guys as well as girls. Never leave your friends alone on a night out. As per Natalee Holloway!
These sound like opportunistic murders to me.
Sorry I missed you Dr Ruth.
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 5, 2006 03:52 AM
Well done on the book sales, Loretta.
This must be word of mouth! The best type of advertising.
~~Respect~~
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 5, 2006 03:56 AM
Good morning, Dr Grey! I'm up late tonight. I agree about the neatly folded clothing. That's a definite red flag.
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 5, 2006 04:09 AM
Missed you again! I was catching up. Sorry!
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 5, 2006 05:10 AM
Good morning!
Off to catch up here.
Posted by: Dr. Frankenstein | October 5, 2006 10:26 AM
Ciao, Everybody!
Nadine hope you had a good rest.
Posted by: Dr Grey | October 5, 2006 11:45 AM
I'm not going to link an article about this, because you can google it for more details, but these kinds of stories are getting more common:
Imagine that. An American citizen who thinks the administration has gotten it wrong on Iraq and says so is handcuffed by a Secret Service agent and charged with a crime for exercising his right of free speech.
Be afraid.
Be very afraid.
Posted by: Doctor Spock | October 5, 2006 11:57 AM
I have been. I'm the one who was thinking that Olbermann should be looking over his shoulder!
Posted by: Dr Hermann Einstein | October 5, 2006 12:15 PM
I can't see anyone with a BAC that high walking anywhere. And if it's true the clothes were folded, how the heck could he have done that? Sounds like something a woman would do, to me.
Posted by: Dr. Dolittle | October 5, 2006 01:14 PM
This isn't the first time clothes have been folded or were neatly set aside in one of these cases.
I think the killer is saying, "Look - idiots! This is a murder!"
He's sending a clue.
Posted by: Doctor Spock | October 5, 2006 01:42 PM
Aloha from Waikiki! Heading out the door to walk around!
Posted by: CountryGal | October 5, 2006 02:42 PM
CountryGal, it sounds like you're having a great vacation.
Doctor Spock, I agree with your theory. The neatly folded clothes are a glaring CLUE, and LE is ignoring the obvious.
It's time to call in Inspector Clouseau.
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 5, 2006 02:53 PM
Charges against John Mark Karr dropped:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/10/05/BAGIDLJAIH9.DTL
Posted by: Dr. Atomic | October 5, 2006 06:51 PM
Charges against John Mark Karr dropped:
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/10/05/BAGIDLJAIH9.DTL
Posted by: Dr. Atomic | October 5, 2006 06:51 PM
I hope they're at least going to make him repay all it cost to extradite him when he claimed to be Jon Benet's killer. And charge him for the damn shrimp and champagne, too.
What a piece of slime.
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 5, 2006 07:09 PM
Someone ought to tattoo something on his forehead.
Posted by: Dr. Ruth | October 5, 2006 07:19 PM