Channel 6 Investigative Reporter On Michael Hastings. Police and Fire told NOT to comment

Originally posted by miner49r
reply to post by WanDash

 

...Not at this time. I suspicion the LAPD may very well do it for me when they release their findings. While there is no further ability to question toxicology reports, the controversy will then come down to are they accurate or are they not. Either way it seems the LAPD has maneuvered it's self into a position of having the final word - case closed as far as they are concerned.

Understood.
What some don't acknowledge is that "accurate" and "comprehensive" aren't necessarily synonymous when it comes to toxicology. But - it is what it is.
I wasn't trying to put you on the stand... Just wanting to see/know if anyone has a "viable" explanation that we could consider, vet and/or develop.
Guess I ought to put one out... Hey - wait - I already have...
Well - anyway.
Maybe I'll find time to put one together...

reply to post by WanDash


No problem no worries. Just feel wore out today and feel blah today... guess it is coming out in my writing as well.

Originally posted by miner49r
reply to post by WanDash

 

No problem no worries. Just feel wore out today and feel blah today... guess it is coming out in my writing as well.

Well then - me too!
I'm just going blah my way through the rest of the night...and hope for roses tomorrow...(for you too).

reply to post by GrantedBail


$100,000 Michael Hastings National Security Reporting Fellowship - A Reward To Uncover Foul Play?

I thought this was so interesting it deserved its own thread.


@miner49r Haha, no apology needed - I was joking too - prolly should have added a smiley after the tears emoticon... And thanks, I also enjoyed the very civilized and often helpful exchange we were having here!

Just wanted to deal with what was said in another thread by a contributor that claimed to be a member of Michael Hastings’ family (going by the username KN937).
KN937 claimed to be a female member of said family…and, while others may not have been convinced of the identity – I found no reason to doubt.
The primary issue found in that “comment”, that I need to address (for my own reasons), was that, for the moment, “the family” does not think “foul play” was involved.
Again – if these claims are true…and (one would expect) the family might be privy to more information (from the investigative agencies involved)…and (one would expect) they are likewise privy to the same bits of information we have been dealing with for the last month…I have to wonder what they might know (or have been told) that could move them toward “no foul play”.
One other comment was – “There's a lot we don't know. But we do know details about Mike and his life that are private -- he deserves for people to respect that.”
I don’t know if the two statements ("no foul play" and "private details") are unconnected…or intimately connected.
If “connected”…we may have an indication as to “why” the family would be leaning toward “no foul play”.

While drugs (specifically – crack) and alcohol have been identified as “admitted substances” he resorted to earlier in his life…and, supposedly some that know him have stated that he had “not had a drink in 5 years”…and others have relegated the ‘crack’ use to even earlier – for the sake of honesty, we cannot entirely rule out either of them in this instance...in the absence of information we simply don’t have.
There may be other possibilities that could account for “no foul play”…that I have not seen put forth, yet…and would like to air them, here, for any discussion and/or consideration they might engender.

1. Epilepsy – effects different people in different ways. Is it possible that he could have had some form of seizure that allowed him to partially control the vehicle…but ultimately, fail?
2. Heated argument with a spouse – sadly…most people who have been married long enough to have become so enraged in a marital-spat, that they jumped in the car and “peeled rubber” (to let the spouse know just how angry they were)…may be able to relate…and consider this as possibility.
3. Sleep Walking – for lack of a better term. I am close to someone who has experienced pronounced episodes of this “very dangerous” disorder (?)…which were lengthy-enough in duration, and which involved interaction/s with others…and doing things they would not do in a normal “waking” state… -- Did he have such a history?

Of these “possible-no-foul-play-explanations”, it would be odd for him to have a history of epileptic seizures, without those around him being aware…and, probably, he would/could have had prescriptive medications to curb the effects.
If he were that susceptible to epileptic seizures, however…it would be odd if there weren’t some history of other public incidents to prove it…

The anger that propels someone from the driveway with smoking tires…usually dissipates within a block or few… If a spousal-spat was his inspiration for that final drive…it would have to be a doozy.

Of the three possibilities mentioned…Sleep Walking is the only one I see that allows for all we know that transpired… The sleep-walker is essentially in a dream-state…
Would be interesting to know if the police report will (be able to) identify what kind of (if any) clothing he was wearing.

Anyway – just some thoughts. If you have any thoughts on this…or have some of your own suggestions – feedback is appreciated.

reply to post by WanDash

Despite the testimony of Sggt Biggs stating Hastings was fearless, everyone has a cracking point. I think "they" may have made threats to harm his loved ones. This (I speak from personal experience) can make even the most rational, balanced of personalities do things that are highly uncharacteristic.

Naturally he would not disclose this to his family, so as not to worry them.
I really think it could be just as simple as this, though I do not discount anything at this stage.

I follow all yours posts and appreciate your efforts (also Miner and Mindbody) keep it up !


x

reply to post by WanDash

While drugs (specifically – crack) and alcohol have been identified as “admitted substances” he resorted to earlier in his life…and, supposedly some that know him have stated that he had “not had a drink in 5 years”…and others have relegated the ‘crack’ use to even earlier – for the sake of honesty, we cannot entirely rule out either of them in this instance...in the absence of information we simply don’t have.

I just wanted to point out that his blog in 2010 indicated current use.

If I can find the link I will post it.

I also find the character highly suspect.

If this was a family member there would be more detailed information than what they are offering.
Also, since this is still an active investigation I am certain that the family was told not to talk about it.

I really hate to be skeptical in that regard but unfortunately the internet is full of Liars.

Just my opinion.

Originally posted by bowaconstricta
reply to post by WanDash

 

Despite the testimony of Sggt Biggs stating Hastings was fearless, everyone has a cracking point. I think "they" may have made threats to harm his loved ones. This (I speak from personal experience) can make even the most rational, balanced of personalities do things that are highly uncharacteristic.
...Naturally he would not disclose this to his family, so as not to worry them.
I really think it could be just as simple as this, though I do not discount anything at this stage. ...

Thanks bowaconstricta!
You are correct. This is one that has played in and out of my thoughts from time to time, as well...just wasn't "around" when I was trying to "put it on paper".
Add to the mix - recently-acquired "fame", the responsibility of opening a "West Coast" office for BuzzFeed, and the simple fact that everything he was sticking his nose in was "risky business"...and the stress-factor might have exceeded his acceptable parameters.
Also - as has been mentioned earlier in this thread - certain 3-Letter agency (s) seem fond of finding one's weaknesses/vices...then, using those vice/s...or the threat of disclosure of those vices...as leverage in getting 'cooperation'. And...something like that might be enough inspiration to cause someone to pass the tipping point, and do the unthinkable.
Again - appreciate your contribution/s.

Originally posted by ShadellacZumbrum
reply to post by WanDash

 

...I just wanted to point out that his blog in 2010 indicated current use.
...If I can find the link I will post it.
...I also find the character highly suspect.
...If this was a family member there would be more detailed information than what they are offering.
Also, since this is still an active investigation I am certain that the family was told not to talk about it.
...I really hate to be skeptical in that regard but unfortunately the internet is full of Liars.
...
Just my opinion.
...

I have looked for that "blog entry" to verify this claim (you have made it, before)...and was not able to find it.
If you do find that URL, a "pointer" would be appreciated.
Others (you, apparently included) have their own reasons for doubting the claims of KN937... I do not.
And, my reason for not doubting, is the inverse of yours "for doubting".
So - I guess it's just a matter of "he said - she said" until other/more information comes to light.
Thanks for sharing your insights.

reply to post by miner49r


Notes from Death of Rolling Stone “Muckracker”: The Michael Hastings Wreck–Video Evidence Only Deepens the Mystery
Author - Michael Krikorian (and David J. Krajicek)

Krikorian’s girlfriend - Nancy Silverton - owned a restaurant - Pizzeria Mozza - at the corner of Melrose & North Highland...and the restaurant had a "security camera" outside the front door (facing North Highland’).
The author arrived at the scene around 9 a.m., to pick up his car that had been left at the restaurant the night before… He let an officer know that the restaurant security camera may show what happened…and, later - when the pizzeria manager arrived...they (author, girlfriend & police officer, minimally) watched the security camera footage...
The officer...was stunned...(saying) "I have never seen a car explode like that."

When the flatbed was leaving with the burned Mercedes CL 250...the author said that "the front of the car, particularly the driver's side, was badly damaged..."

Later, after determining "who" the victim was...the author showed the "video" to a former U.S. Navy military policeman (46 years old) who served in Afghanistan...named Terry Hopkins. In response to the video, Hopkins said "I've never seen an explosion like that... I've seen military vehicles explode, but never quite like that..."
Apparently, the police investigators considered the skid marks evident in the LoudLabs video, just south of the cross-walk on the south side of Melrose...to have been 'tire marks"...and, they, likewise, "measured them".

"About 100 feet after the car zooms by (the front door of the restaurant)...it starts to swerve. At about 195 feet from the camera, the car jumps the curb of the center median, heading toward a palm tree 56 feet away.
"About halfway between the curb and the tree, the car hits a metal protrusion - perhaps 30 inches tall and 2 feet wide - that gives access to city water mains below. This is where the first small flash occurs. This pipe may have damaged the undercarriage of the car, perhaps rupturing a fuel line...
"...A second flash immediately follows the first. It might be the brake lights, but it's hard to tell. The next frame is dark. Then comes the first explosion, followed immediately by a large fireball..."

An Academy Award-winning visual effects supervisor viewed the footage, and said –

"...a bomb would have propelled the car upward, not forward. ...It's very hard to blow up stuff well... I think too many things would have to go right. Luck would be involved. Good and bad. Does someone doing this to Hastings want to rely on luck? Too many things have to go right. It would have to be perfect. And that's almost impossible. ...It comes down to physics. A bomb would have lifted the car and the engine up. ...this car doesn't go up, and the engine goes forward, which makes sense since the car apparently did not hit the tree head on."

Another telling remark, was - "None of this happens without the speed."

While the LAPD had said that there was "no foul play"...a week after that statement, the "lead investigator on the case" said that no explanation/s had been ruled out.
Nevertheless...she (lead investigator) gave another remark that suggests that they "have" ruled out the possibility of foul play, saying... "If this were anything other than an accident, other departments would have been brought in to investigate." ...and, the author's aside seemed considerably appropriate - "Though one might think 'other departments' would have been needed in any case - simply to determine whether it was an accident or not."

(thoughts to follow)

Thoughts on Death of Rolling Stone “Muckracker”: The Michael Hastings Wreck–Video Evidence Only Deepens the Mystery
Author - Michael Krikorian (and David J. Krajicek)

I did not excerpt or reference the description of “traffic” that preceded the wreck in the previous “Notes from” post…but, they may be relevant to others…so, let me give the summary:
In the 79 seconds of security camera footage that preceded the appearance of the vehicle that crashed, three other vehicles had passed on the same stretch of North Highland’ in front of the camera… Two going south (just like the Mercedes), and one going north.

With that out of the way, let’s consider what would appear to be new details, derived from the security camera footage...
195 feet (or so) past the skid marks, apparently left by the Mercedes after (probably) bottoming-out on the “Melrose-rise”…the Mercedes “jumped the curb”…with 56 feet remaining before the fateful palm tree.
If this is the case – that would place the “curb jumping point” at or near the last palm tree before the crash.
Again – if this is the case – the fact that the ADP security vehicle was positioned at (or near) this spot when the LoudLabs camera rolled-up on the scene…could explain why any disturbances that might have been left in the median-turf were not evident (because of disguise, shadow or being entirely blocked from view).
Nevertheless – all things considered – 56 feet is a very narrow window at 80+ (or 100+) mph.
And, regardless of what the motivation was…the curb-jumping-point could just as easily have been the end-point in this exercise.
If the “curb-jumping-point” and the claim that the vehicle remained in/on the median until the crash, are both accurate…we must contend with how much stock to place in the eye-witness testimony of Jose’…as, he clearly gave a/the “screech” (as in, tires braking/skidding) sound, followed by a “hard pull of the steering wheel, to the left” visual in his statement/s.
Could be that his mind tried to fill-in-the-blanks…but, again – you have to wonder what other “filled-in-blanks” were part of the testimony.

About halfway between the curb-jumping-point and the explosion, the vehicle hit the metal utility cover (water main related), that was accompanied with a “flash”…that was almost immediately followed by another “flash”…which Krikorian suggested could have been brake lights…and just as likely, could have been something else.
The car did not meet the tree with the center of the front-end, but rather…impact was more to the driver’s side…which (might have) allowed for the engine & tranny to eject through the side of the engine compartment experiencing less impedance.
Driving on a grass/turf median at a high rate of speed, when one is used to driving on a more tractable surface like asphalt…is not a precision sport. It is very easy to slip & slide (and – video evidence shows plenty of high grass).
Again – not knowing the motivation (suicide, loss of certain controls, etc…), we cannot state with certainty, if his intent was to hit the palm tree…or looking to escape a hell ride (alive)…
If he did not intend to hit the palm tree…the fact that he didn’t hit it dead-center could support the hypothesis that he was trying to slow the car…and was trying to miss the tree.
If he did intend to hit the palm…the fact that he didn’t hit it dead-center could simply be a result of the lack of control that would derive from the “less tractable turf”.

It would seem that most people considering this incident, on both sides of the “foul play – no foul play” fence, agree that no matter which answer is correct – everything had to go exactly as it did, for the conclusion to be as it was.
I prefer to believe “the best” (or, certainly not “the worst”) in people I have a reason to like… So, I don’t want to believe that the answer to this riddle was suicide or irresponsible disregard for others.
I realize that “foul play” would necessarily require that someone-else be labeled with characteristics that fall under “the worst”…but, it’s easier to accept, if those unnamed, faceless individuals are but minions of the “self-serving elite” that Michael Hastings (and others) appeared willing to go toe-to-toe with.
Just saying – I know that I am emotionally biased toward a “foul play” answer. But, will accept either answer (if satisfactory), once known.

This mornings news article pick...

Selective silencing: Was Michael Hastings murdered?

Based on my research as a professionally licensed investigator with nearly 30 years of experience, I wish to be on record that it is my professional opinion that investigative journalist Michael Hastings was murdered.

It would seem that Canadian Doug Hagmann, Private Investigator has been working on a collaborative effort with a well known and experienced PI in Los Angeles.

For the first time, I can publicly reveal that I’ve been working with a very experienced and well-respected professional investigator based in Los Angeles and licensed by the state of California. We began our collaboration on Friday, June 21, 2013 - about 72 hours after Mr. Hastings’ death. Since then, we’ve spent about 44 collective man-hours investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash that took the life of Mr. Hastings.

Only 44 man hours? (lightweights... ). The article goes on to detail some of His findings and it seems there may be more information to come as well. Of particular interest is the mention of possibly a second vehicle involved around the Melrose Ave intersection. Guess we will have to wait and see what more transpires from this source ...if anything.

I have been watching Bigg's Twitter - pretty quiet since he posted a pic of a book on how to disappear and the words "Just in case". Seems the bravado has wore off.

Just jumping back in here...had to take a break from it all.

Originally posted by miner49r
This mornings news article pick...

Selective silencing: Was Michael Hastings murdered?
...

...we’ve spent about 44 collective man-hours investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash that took the life of Mr. Hastings.

...Only 44 man hours? (lightweights...

). ...

- Precisely my thoughts before reading yours!!!

I have been watching Bigg's Twitter - pretty quiet since he posted a pic of a book on how to disappear and the words "Just in case". Seems the bravado has wore off.
...Just jumping back in here...had to take a break from it all.

If you're not used to being accountable (held accountable) for off-the-cuff statements (and every word of them)...it can turn ugly, real fast.
I think he just got a dose of "the spotlight".

From the beginning I have held some reservations about the Loud Labs red light/Santa Monica clip.

Why did the Loud Labs driver take a convoluted course? After all it was nearly a straight shot to the scene it's self. The video was edited here and there along the course taking side streets. Was that Hastings vehicle that blew through the red light?

I think I am going to take a little time and see if I can retrace the path taken to the scene by the Loud Labs reporter.

Originally posted by miner49r
From the beginning I have held some reservations about the Loud Labs red light/Santa Monica clip.
...Why did the Loud Labs driver take a convoluted course? After all it was nearly a straight shot to the scene it's self. The video was edited here and there along the course taking side streets. Was that Hastings vehicle that blew through the red light?
...I think I am going to take a little time and see if I can retrace the path taken to the scene by the Loud Labs reporter.

I am no apologist for the LoudLabs video (or driver), but...have been in situations, in the middle of the night, listening to police, sheriff's & emergency scanners...hear a "call/report", immediately start moving (without clear knowledge of where I'm going...but, just to get moving, so as to potentially "get there as quickly as possible"), and find (at least as often as not) that I should have gone another direction...and then, try to find a "shortcut" back to the path I should have taken...
Don't know if that is what happened, in this instance...but, your question is well founded (at least as to their route)...
This is what I've found... If you've found different, let me know...
The first right they took off of Santa Monica...was at Cole Ave.
Looks like the last turn before turning onto North Highland Ave., is from Las Palmas (going south) onto Waring Street (going east).
So...after turning onto Cole Ave. - they must have made their way back to Las Palmas...prior to the right turn (going east) onto Waring.

reply to post by WanDash


So far I have not found the actual route. I will take a look at your directions and try to follow them.

From what I have been able to look at the video was shot from the gas pumps (parking area) of the Mobil station looking East at the newly constructed Walgreens. From there He drives East past the Walgreens.

Looks like to me he possibly came out on Lexington ave and turned left onto N. Highland - passed the median with the palm trees in it...passes the Mobil station where He was parked and onto the scene.

I have to run for a bit, I will try your directions when I get back. Either way I agree with you. He seemed to be back tracking and trying to get back to N. Highland.

Probably nothing here to look at ....is what it seems for the most part. Again, .... another pure instance of luck to get the red light shot.

Originally posted by miner49r
reply to post by WanDash

 

...So far I have not found the actual route. I will take a look at your directions and try to follow them.
...
From what I have been able to look at the video was shot from the gas pumps (parking area) of the Mobil station looking East at the newly constructed Walgreens. From there He drives East past the Walgreens.
...

Here is the Google Maps' shot of Waring at North Highland'

Larger View

Here is the screen shot from the LoudLabs video, making that final left-hand (southbound) turn onto North Highland'

Larger View

Just my 2 cents, but I recall seeing the unedited LoudLabbs video and saw no evidence of a car speeding through red lights. (I do have a photographic memory) I started doubting myself after everyone kept going on about it, having watched the edited version...

Hehe just noticed RamboBiggs asking MercedesBenz if they are going to publish a report on Hastings death.
He's going to have to do better than that

reply to post by bowaconstricta


bowaconstricta, do you have a link to the unedited footage by chance?

reply to post by WanDash


Yup yup... your right. So I guess nothing of note here then.