Cowell case still a mystery

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By Dee Riggs
World staff writer

Friday, March 12, 2010

World photo/Don Seabrook

In a landscape of overgrown weeds and brush, daffodils have sprung up near where Mackenzie Cowell’s body was found near Crescent Bar last month.

Could it take years? Authorities hope not ... but the worry is there

The heads of the three agencies involved in the investigation were asked: Could the investigation into the Cowell homicide take months or years?

• “There is always that possibility. ... It’s not going to be a quick investigation to solve. On the other hand, if we get some forensic information back or someone gives us the right information, it could close very quickly.”

— Harvey Gjesdal, Douglas County sheriff

• “It certainly could. We may not ever be able to solve it to the point where we make an arrest. We might be able to assume who committed this crime, but to ever be able to make an arrest, we don’t know.”

— Mike Harum, Chelan County sheriff

• “It could; it’s possible, but I’m sure hoping not. I guess I’m optimistic. I feel it will be solved, maybe not in the near future, but in the reasonable future. ... I can’t be specific.”

— Tom Robbins, Wenatchee police chief

Photo provided

The task force investigating the Mackenzie Cowell case gets regular briefings as the work continues.

Photo provided

Investigators have a bulletin board with pictures of Mackenzie — it helps them stay focused.

Mackenzie Cowell

WENATCHEE — On Saturday, it will be a month since the body of 17-year-old Wenatchee High School student Mackenzie Cowell was found at Crescent Bar.

Investigators say they have no suspects.

Could this investigation go on for months? Years?

The answer would seem to be yes.

“There are investigations that go on for years, and there are some that, from up front you can identify a suspect very easily,” said Doug Jones, spokesman for the task force investigating her death. “Unfortunately, in this case, we have no witnesses, at least none that have stepped forward, and we have no obvious evidence that points to anyone in particular. It’s a different situation from a case that is solved in the first week.”

The task force remains at nine full-time detectives, Jones said, and there has been no talk of scaling back anytime soon.

On Tuesday, he said detectives are still working leads. “Every detective in the room got a good assignment to tackle this morning, as far as moving this case forward.”

Investigators have kept information close to the vest in this case. Jones said they don’t want to leak out information that could give the killer any clues about how to throw investigators off track.

This week, Jones remained typically vague on answers:

• What’s new with the case? “We’re still following up associations that she had, things like that, hoping for a big break, for a tip which we haven’t gotten.”

• What evidence has come back from the crime lab? “We’re still waiting for most of the crime lab results. I doubt we will release crime lab results either, until we have a suspect in custody.”

• What have you learned from cell tower research? “We’ve gotten a lot back but we are still waiting for some stuff from a couple of different providers.”

• What have you learned from tips to the RiverCom dispatch Center? “Nothing I can comment on. ... As of March 4, we’ve gotten 195 tips but ... nothing that we can really sink our teeth into.”

• Have you determined if this is a random killing or a killing by someone Cowell knew? “Both possibilities are still out there.”

• What do you tell women who say they are afraid of a random killer? “They should exercise common sense, be on just a little bit more heightened alert. They should not go out alone at night without an escort; just be wise as far as personal safety goes.”

• Is Cowell’s cell phone still missing? “Yes.”

• Are investigators frustrated with the lack of results? “I’m not sure frustration is the word, but we’re maintaining our diligence and hoping for a lead that can get us there.”

• How many people have you interviewed? “A conservative estimate is currently at 670 ... this includes students, friends, family, associates, residents of Crescent Bar and Pitcher Canyon, citizens at the boat launch area and those providing tips.”

• Have you conducted any polygraph tests? “To date, we’ve done at least eight polygraph exams of which the names and results will remain confidential at this time to maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation.”

• Have you executed any search warrants? “Task force detectives/agents have conducted numerous searches as part of our basic investigative process of elimination of places where Mackenzie may have gone or been associated with. Those responsible for the locations have signed consent to search forms.

“Thus far everyone has cooperated with our investigation when asked and allowed the searches.” Jones declined to say where searches had been conducted.

“To the extent that none of the searches to this point have revealed where the actual homicide occurred or evidence pointing to a suspect, it would not be appropriate to release and would potentially hinder the investigation in the future.”

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» 17 comments on this story

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girlfawkes 3 years, 2 months ago

Excellent article. It's perfectly clear that they have POI(s), they are just waiting for the right evidence to come in. I hope that it's forthcoming very soon.

ANON9121 3 years, 2 months ago

R.I.P Beautiful Kenzie. We miss you so much!! Please send us a sign of who did this to you.

girlfawkes 3 years, 2 months ago

Yes, they have maintained that all along, I don't believe it. If one reads between the lines it is very probable that they have copious amounts of circumstantial evidence but are waiting on something more in order to make a water tight case. . Mike Harum's statement is particularly telling in this regard: . "We may not ever be able to solve it to the point where we make an arrest. We might be able to assume who committed this crime, but to ever be able to make an arrest, we don’t know.” . I think they have already made that assumption and did so very early on. . Harvey Gjesdal's statement is telling along the same lines: . "On the other hand, if we get some forensic information back or someone gives us the right information, it could close very quickly.” . Forensic results don't make the theories, they confirm them. A quick closure after forensic confirmation or the "right tip" would indicate to me that a suspect, the timeline, and circumstantial evidence is already in place. Of course, JMO. Only time will tell.

sm123 3 years, 2 months ago

Well said girlfawkes. My thoughts exactly. :)

Annsboy 3 years, 2 months ago

I hope your right but it seems your grasping at straws there girlfawkes. reread the quotes you gave, sounds like they do not have enough to make an arrest, UNTILL someone comes forward.

shortnsazy 3 years, 2 months ago

the piece of crap that did this to mackenzie will be caught sooner or later, hoping for sooner!!! I love you mackenzie!!!

Heathcliff518 3 years, 2 months ago

You couldn't have said it better Girlfawkes. I think they have a pretty good idea of who did this, but just not quite enough evidence to make an arrest. I pray that this gets resolved soon, It's such a tragedy. My prayers are with the family.

Luna71 3 years, 2 months ago

As someone said in the other article it seems like the person didn't really know what they were doing.... 3 different CODS??That means lots of mistakes! Not well thought out.... Forensics might be the missing link they need.

SW 3 years, 2 months ago

Bob, I think your anger is directed at the wrong source. Most of the men and women in law enforcement are good, brave, upstanding people. Problem is, they don't make the rules, they follow them. If you want to make a difference in what law enforcements priorities are, you need to put new people in positions that make the rules, like the mayor, commissioners and all the way up to legislature and the governor.

This is a horrible tragedy and I hope they find the monster who did this and put him (her, them?) away for life.

junglefever 3 years, 2 months ago

This article was awesome, thank you WW!

I am still going on what I thought at the beginning of this case is that it was someone very close to her.

StephanieMears 3 years, 2 months ago

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girlfawkes 3 years, 2 months ago

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AreUSerious 3 years, 2 months ago

Obviously Bob has had some trouble himself with law enforcement. Bob, have you ever stopped to think that there are on average 50 average people to 1 LEO. They can't be everywhere all the time. It is sad but true that on average the only way LE is able to "protect" is after a crime has been reported and the suspect is then arrested to prevent said suspect from committing future crimes. I don't know what your deal is with LE but give it a break man. Most LEO's do the job because they love it, not because they think they can get rich doing it.

squinn 3 years, 2 months ago

I totally agree with Bob_Knows. Just because someone sees a weakness, unwillingness or inability to serve and protect in the police does not make them a criminal. When I was 19, 98 pounds and pregnant my ex-husband tried to run me down with a car he paid for with the stolen money from my savings account. When someone pulled me back and he missed he got out of the car and tried to chase me down with a claw hammer in front of 9 witnesses. All witnesses gave statements to the police but I was not allowed to press charges because I was not actually assaulted. His mother worked for the WSP. Which is most likely the reason that I went to jail when he beat me up. Plus, I agree that most in LE do not do it for the money, I would have to think that the power trip has something to do with their reasoning. PS I am not a criminal, do not drink or do drugs. If you question that you can get my criminal record online for seven dollars. You will find some traffic tickets and a single arrest for domestic violence in 1999. Charges dropped.