Missing Image: An explaination
You’ve probably noted the missing image in the post below. We’ve decided to remove our aged composite because we’ve had a rethink on the implications of publishing an unofficial image. An updated composite should come from LAPD once they have decided how to approach the task. They have the responsibility and expertise to do this whereas we (armchair detectives) can only make educated guesses that are at best ’shots the the dark’.
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Our image, while maintaining elements of the original might be way off the mark and as such could be a detriment to the case. We do not want this. If in a few months the LAPD fails to offer up an alternative aged image then perhaps we can think again but for now we should make do with the 1988 version.
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No one has approached us with a demand to remove the image, we’ve made this decision alone. We like the result of our effort. It certainly looks like the younger man in middle age - the resemblance between the two is obvious and the aging looks natural and how one would expect the younger man to look on hitting 50+.
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A couple of news websites have shown our image. Alas one news site has shown the original (1988) version with the erroneous report that it is the aged version!
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WHEN this killer is caught we can at least see how near (or far of) the mark we were!
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We urge LAPD to release a good quality updated version of the composite as quickly as possible so that the public can help find this man before he kills again.
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Let us know what you think about our decision and sorry for backtracking.
3 Responses to “Missing Image: An explaination”
November 25th, 2009 at: 11:37 pm
I would love it if you put it back up. I was so impressed when you had made it so quickly. I guess I understand, but I wish you would still keep it available. I made at least 15 links to this website to show the aged progression drawing when the other sites did not have it. I did it also in hopes it would get many more visitors to this site and am now worried if they bother to click and link over they will be disappointed.
As far as waiting on LADP to get the Official drawing done….Only took them 21 years to get the first one out…I would not hold your breath. I actually think having your drawing out faster puts some much needed pressure on them and keeps activity to this website that is much needed for the case. Since you don’t claim it is the official version I think you are protected. Also your out of the country…so you have an extra layer of protection there. As for the accuracy..its a guess no matter who does it. GS could shave his head, grow a beard, get plastic surgery, have been in a car accident or 1000 other what if’s. What upset me looking at a long list of sites showing just the 1988 drawing, is it was NOT clear the “freshly released” drawing was 21 years old!! Again, why your drawing was so valuable and is needed right now! 6 months from now…I mean 6 years from now the LAPD can use it as an excuse to do another media blitz. Then they can fix the errors about the Ford Pinto details also…..
November 26th, 2009 at: 8:40 pm
Gator, we would love to display the image on the site because we too think it shows the younger man as he would appear now. To be honest the LAPD won’t come up with anything markedly different because any artist will start with the original and ‘age’ it using set criteria. Like we said, the key features of the older guy remain intact - nose, lips eyes face shape all remain the same. Aging a face follows a set pattern so LAPD effort will be close to our own. The main thing we have to worry about is whether the young composite IS indeed an accurate depiction of the man who attacked the survivor. If she says it’s a good likeness of the attacker them our aged composite is a good likeness of the attack aged 50+
Another point; the young composite looks like a man in his early twenties - certainly not in his 30’s. I know you (gator) have already alerted us to the discrepancy between LAPD and LAWeekly descriptions. Again, if the survivor said this (young) composite is accurate then I would be inclined to bracket the killer’s age between 23 and 27 (in 1988). That makes him around 44 - 48 today.
If would be good to hear from relatives of the victims etc. on the matter of the unofficial aged composite.
The image is still being show on one website even though we have asked for it to be removed.
November 27th, 2009 at: 5:17 am
When in doubt, be proactive…and involve the key players in your decision. If it were me…I would put the drawing back up Today and ask each of the following how they feel?
#1 LAPD (I would offer them your drawing as a starting point and remind them it is just a place holder until their “official drawing” comes out. Clearly your efforts are making their phone ring more with tips, so they will appreciate the positive intent and passion to catch GS faster). I would also want clarification where Pinto details came from and why it is different from surviving victim’s details? If they say to take it down, please get an expected time frame for their sketch release.
#2 Christine Pelisek LaWeekly (She seems to have better access and info from the surviving victim vs. LAPD, so I would ask her help to get confirmation about the first sketch and her feelings on your drawing from her). Maybe she could also get the families of the victims to chime in. Fox news video said 2 of the victim’s family members never were shown the original, so I think you have better chance of positive feedback than even LAPD.
#3 Margaret Prescod. This woman has been working so hard for so many years to bring much needed attention to the case and voice her concerns about how the LAPD let things slip. She could give you some good advice on what could be best. She is a powerful voice for the victims, the community and I think would appreciate your passion in this case. http://www.laweekly.com/2009-06-11/news/group-demands-progress-on-grim-sleeper/
These people said it better…
“They drew a line that shut me out,
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout!
But love and I had the wit to win
We drew a circle and brought them in.” — Edwin Markham
“It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission” Quote by: Grace Hopper.
Also attributed to her is the quote, “A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is built for.”
“The most dangerous phrase in the language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’”
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