Investigators trying to find a lacking Florida mom quickly realized somebody was utilizing the COVID-19 pandemic to cowl up her disappearance.
During the early months of the pandemic, family and friends acquired texts from the telephone of a beloved Florida mom, Gretchen Anthony. The texts mentioned she had an “acute” case of coronavirus. When nobody might attain her by telephone, family and friends – who believed it wasn’t Gretchen sending these texts — known as the police for assist.
Here is a more in-depth take a look at the case.
The Crime Scene
No one answered the door when police knocked at Gretchen Anthony’s door.
At her dwelling investigators found a possible crime scene. Police say this picture seems to indicate stains from a mysterious soapy substance on the driveway.
Signs of a Struggle
While looking out Gretchen Anthony’s dwelling, Jupiter Police discovered a damaged image body and shards of glass in Gretchen’s mattress.
A Strange Stained Towel
As police continued to search for clues, they discovered a stained towel sitting on prime of Gretchen Anthony’s washer. It later examined constructive for a blood-like substance.
Screams within the Night
During a March 26, 2020 canvass of Gretchen Anthony’s neighborhood, a neighbor reported listening to a girl screaming simply 5 days earlier than.
Some involved neighbors shared pictures of a black Nissan truck parked close to Gretchen’s home the night time the lady reported listening to the screams. The truck belonged to David Anthony, Gretchen’s estranged husband. The couple had been separated for months.
Finding Gretchen’s Car
Investigators bought a break once they found Gretchen Anthony’s automotive within the parking zone of the Jupiter Medical Center. That’s the place the texts mentioned she was a affected person. The hospital had no report of her being handled for Covid-19.
They had been satisfied she had met foul play once they discovered her purse sitting within the car and her mobile phone was lacking.
Where was David Anthony?
In this physique digital camera footage, police discovered David Anthony had been residing along with his canine Kobe at his mom’s home. She informed police she had additionally acquired texts from Gretchen’s telephone. She additionally informed police David was headed to Costa Rica.
Where was Gretchen?
Investigators had been satisfied David Anthony was concerned in Gretchen’s disappearance. They believed the important thing to discovering her was to find David. They used mobile phone pings to assist monitor his actions as he drove throughout six states. The manhunt included help from a number of regulation enforcement companies.
A Trail of Clues
David Anthony is seen promoting Gretchen’s jewellery in Jupiter, Florida.
Hiding in Plain Sight in NM
Police in Florida monitoring David Anthony’s mobile phone pings bought successful in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Jupiter Police Detective Jared Kenerson reached out to Las Cruces police. Armed with a car description, they positioned the truck and had been in a position to get hold of a search warrant for his car. It was packed to the brim and brought into custody.
Because police didn’t have sufficient proof to make an arrest, David and his canine Kobe walked away.
The Missing Phone
When Las Cruces police processed David Anthony’s car, they recovered these cell telephones; one belonged to Gretchen Anthony.
Investigators consider it was utilized by David to ship these faux textual content messages from Gretchen.
Screaming for Help
In the truck police additionally found these Amazon units which makes use of Alexa software program. Police say one of many units recorded Gretchen Anthony’s determined cries for assist.
Stolen Security Cameras
When Las Cruces police processed David Anthony’s car, in addition they recovered these safety cameras from Gretchen’s dwelling. She had them put in as a security measure.
Jupiter Police had been in a position to get well the footage from the cloud.
A Shadowy Figure
Security footage revealed this picture of a determine lurking in Gretchen Anthony’s patio on the final day she was seen alive.
Who’s within the Garage?
Footage from the cloud confirmed a thriller man in Gretchen Anthony’s storage, inserting objects in her MINI Cooper.
Caught within the Act
Investigators had been in a position to get well this picture of David Anthony from Gretchen’s safety digital camera in her storage. Shortly after, David took the cameras down and hit the street.
Finding David Anthony Again
Investigators now had sufficient proof to subject a warrant for his arrest. Jupiter Police Detectives Jared Kenerson and Kelly Sanders rushed to Las Cruces. After a search, and with the assistance of different companies, they positioned David Anthony strolling his canine in Las Cruces and made an arrest.
David Anthony in Denial
During the interrogation, Detectives Jared Kenerson and Kelly Sanders [not pictured] informed David Anthony that they’d him on digital camera ambushing Gretchen. But he insisted she was alive — 35 instances.
Face of a Killer
Ultimately, the safety footage that investigators recovered from Gretchen Anthony’s dwelling — and different proof — helped safe a responsible plea for second-degree homicide and kidnapping towards David Anthony.
As part of his plea deal, he needed to disclose the place he buried Gretchen’s physique. Despite his responsible plea, David Anthony has by no means revealed his motive.
He is presently serving 38 years in jail for the homicide of Gretchen Anthony.
