Found Deceased: Tracy Tribble-IA-5/3/06

[Linda]

http://www.crimelibrary.com/news/original/...cy_tribble.html

Missing Since May 3rd, 2006: Tracy Tribble, Council Bluffs, Iowa

By Steve Huff
May 15, 2006

Council Bluffs, Iowa (Crime Library) — As of May 15, 2006, 5'2", Tracy Tribble has been missing for almost two weeks. The last time anyone saw red-haired and green-eyed Tracy, age 35, of Council Bluffs, Iowa (IA) was early in the morning on May 3, 2006. Her husband, Stan Tribble, said he'd last seen Tracy between six and six-thirty that morning.

Internet domain registration records indicate two websites were created to promote finding Tracy Tribble on May 7th, 2006: http://www.tracytribble.com and http://www.tracytribble.info. The pages were essentially mirrors of each other, and information pertinent to bringing Tracy home could be found on either page. Tracy's father, John Gostomski, was listed as the point of contact. A $75,000 reward was being offered for information leading to Tracy's whereabouts.

Speaking to Omaha, Nebraska television station KETV on May 8, 2006, a friend of Tribble's family, Bryon Batchelder, said that Tracy's cell phone, purse, and car had been left behind. On May 10th it was reported that Batchelder was actually an ex-boyfriend of Tribble's, and that it was known that the night before Tracy Tribble vanished, she'd had an argument with her husband Stan, and was "distraught."

On May 12th there was fear among some searching for Tribble that she'd been found. That day it was reported that human remains had been found in a barrel on May 6th in a secluded part of Pottawattamie County, IA. However it was established that the corpse in the barrel, a female between 5'6" and 5'9" and somewhere between 24 and 32, had been deceased for some time, and didn't fit Tracy's overall description or even her ethnic heritage investigators believed the deceased could be biracial, Caucasian and African-American.

Though suspicion is often directed towards spouses in situations where one member of the couple goes missing, Council Bluffs authorities were being careful with statements made to local media. KCCI TV in Des Moines, IA reported on May 12th that even though Stan and Tracy Tribble had fought often in their three years of marriage, Stan being arrested more than once on domestic violence charges, Council Bluffs police "had no reason to believe" that Stan Tribble had "done anything wrong."

Discussion of Tracy's vanishing was not widespread across weblogs, but what could be found in the blogosphere was intriguing because it was so blunt. A blogger using the screen name "avyakata" wrote at http://www.elowel.org, on May 10th:

"Tracy Gostomski married this guy named Tribble and they live across the river in Council Bluffs. There have been three domestic violence calls there in the last few months and now she has vanished completely, leaving car, keys, wallet, jewelry, and her pet. These are not the choices of a woman dashing off to make a new life for herself Some of my business associates work for her father. The reward started at $25k, then it was $50k, now its $75k. I talked with one of them today. I said (kindly) 'She isn't coming back ...'. There was a long pause. She said 'We know that'. There wasn't much else to say."

Stan Tribble was cooperative with police investigating his wife's disappearance for at least a week. But on May 12th it was reported in The Southwest Iowa Daily Nonpareil that Tribble had hired an attorney and was no longer speaking directly with investigators.

In the same Daily Nonpareil article by reporter Chad Nation, a few extra details came out: one reason Tracy's family was so worried was the fact that she'd left her dog behind; Stan Tribble had been truthful with police about he and Tracy arguing the night before she disappeared, but he "denied assaulting her."

Perhaps more ominous was where Tracy's dog was found: animal control officers picked the animal up at a cemetery near the Tribble home

Searches for Tracy Tribble are continuing in and around Council Bluffs. It isn't clear just how involved husband Stan Tribble is in the efforts being made to find his wife. Anyone with information regarding Tracy's whereabouts can call the Council Bluffs Police at 712-328-4764 or 712-328-5737.

[Linda]

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/2806311.html


Bluffs Disappearance
Missing Persons
No new clues

 
Council Bluffs authorities say they still have nothing new on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of 35-year-old Tracy Tribble.

Weekend searches by volunteers turned up empty.

Tribble has been missing since last week and her father, John Gostomski, is hoping for the best but he's not optimistic.

"We're just going as a missing person; trying to stay positive," he says.

After 12 days without a word from her, there have been some reported "sightings" but the tips have not panned out.

Council Bluffs Police Sgt Ray Mabbitt says, "There's a lot of pressure to solve it early because that's when the leads are fresh. That's the best opportunity we have."

Council Bluffs has taken in more than 100 missing persons reports already this year. Many are frequent runaways that are found shortly after the report is filed. To date, there are 16 active missing person cases in Council Bluffs: 13 are runaways who haven't been heard from in two years.

In three cases, including Tribble's, the circumstances of the disappearance are unknown. One of those cases dates back to 1998.

Sgt Mabbitt says, "Most of the time, we have successful conclusions and happy endings where the people are at a friend's house."

There is a $75,000 reward for Tribble's safe return.

[Linda]

http://www.ketv.com/news/9226240/detail.html

Weekend Search Planned For Missing Bluffs Woman

POSTED: 3:06 pm CDT May 16, 2006
UPDATED: 3:08 pm CDT May 16, 2006


COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- The family of a missing Council Bluffs woman plans another search this weekend.

Tracy Tribble, 35, was last seen on May 3. Her family is offering a $75,000 reward for information that helps track her down.

If you have any information about Tribble's disappearance, call (712) 328-4764.

[Linda]

http://www.kptm.com/video/2098442.html?id=446

Updates In Cases Of Two Missing Local Women
 05/16/2006

The Omaha Police Department says it has located the car of missing UNO student Jessica O'Grady.

The car was found at about 10:30 this morning in a strip mall at 144th and Center.

After checking the car's registration, officers determined that it was the same car O'Grady was last seen driving.

The department says that while the circumstances surrounding the situation are unusual, there are no indications of foul play.

Anyone with any information on the case is asked to call the Omaha Police Department at 444-5590 or 444-5600.
--------------------------------
The family and friends of Tracy Tribble are planning another search for the missing Council Bluffs woman.

They will meet Saturday morning at St. Patrick's Church in Council Bluffs at 8am.

They are again asking for search volunteers. They are also asking for local businesses to donate food for everyone involved.

[Linda]

http://www.kptm.com/video/2098442.html?id=453

Tipline Established In Tribble Search
 05/17/2006

A hotline has been established to help in the search for missing Council Bluffs woman Tracy Tribble.

It's called Tracy's Tip Line, and it can be reached by dialing (402) 218-1199.

Family and friends will meet Saturday morning at St. Patrick's Church in Council Bluffs at 8am, to start another search.

They are again asking for search volunteers. They are also asking for local businesses to donate food for everyone involved.

Tribble has been missing since May 3rd.

[Linda]

Missing woman's relatives turn to psychics
Police will join another search Saturday for the Council Bluffs resident.

May 19, 2006
LISA ROSSI
REGISTER AMES BUREAU

Council Bluffs, Ia. - Tracy Tribble of Council Bluffs disappeared May 3, leaving loose the dog she is said to have loved.

The 35-year-old woman's mother has been so distraught that she has stepped out of her house in Omaha only once since Tribble was reported missing. Other family members and friends continue their searches as they grieve, and police report no clues and no suspects in the case. Tribble's relatives and friends will hold another search Saturday.

The efforts to find Tribble have taken a surreal turn as each day leads to more frustration. In the past weeks, family members have turned to psychics for help and have launched a Web site - tracytribble.com.

Meanwhile, Council Bluffs police said this week that they will scale back their presence at the Saturday search mostly because of overtime expenses.

The ordeal has pushed Tribble's relatives to the brink of despair.

"I'm fast approaching destroyed," said Mary Gostomski, Tribble's mother, through sobs Thursday. "But I still have a little bit of hope, just a little bit."

Specialists in loss and grief say people whose loved ones have vanished suffer in a way that is not soothed by designated times of support.

"It's a silent type of grieving," said John Harvey, a psychology professor at the University of Iowa. Help will drift in and out of their lives until the loved one is found, he said.

Experts in law enforcement added that it's not uncommon for families who are desperate for answers to turn to psychics, although the claims of such practitioners are not accepted as legitimate by psychologists.

Searching for Tribble is "the most horrific experience of my life," said Tribble's aunt, Betty Thomas. "I never knew life to be this painful."

Thomas said it was a psychic she trusted who led her to a home in Madison County this week.

When Thomas and her husband reached a farmhouse in Dexter, the psychic "said we found my niece and we started digging, and we didn't get far when an elderly lady came out and started slowly walking towards us. We didn't know what to do, so we decided to leave," Thomas said.

Tribble's father, John Gostomski, said he last spoke to his daughter two days before she disappeared, discussing her new job, which she said she liked. He said she didn't mention any problems with her husband, Stan.

Police in Council Bluffs say Stan Tribble is their only "person of interest" in the case, but he is not a suspect.

In October 2003, Stan Tribble was arrested for aggravated domestic assault for redness on his wife's throat. Against the advice of the Pottawattamie County attorney's office, Tracy Tribble dropped the charges, the county attorney's office said.

In April, Tribble accused her husband of assaulting her. Charges in that case were filed May 11 by the county attorney's office. Authorities said Tribble had been grabbed, poked and punched, with bruises on her throat, chest and arms. She refused medical treatment for those injuries.

Stan Tribble's attorney, James Burger, said his client had no comment. Burger said he also could not comment on the abuse allegations.

Tracy Tribble was last seen by her husband at 6:30 a.m. on May 3, according to police reports. John Gostomski, who lives in Arizona, is staying in the Omaha area, and has created a search headquarters at his Omaha business, Futureware Distributing Inc. He is offering a $75,000 reward for information about his daughter's whereabouts.

"It's our daughter," he said. "We will use our resources to try our darndest to get her back."

Another member of the search team, Bryon Batchelder, who said he dated Tribble before she married Stan Tribble, also met with Diana Abbott, a woman who told him she had psychic abilities.

Abbott said: "Psychics read energy fields. Victims have an energy field around them. ... The energy is still there for Tracy."

Relatives study those conversations closely.

On Wednesday at the search headquarters in Omaha, Patti Gostomski, Tracy Tribble's stepmother, clutched the notes from recordings of those talks.

"She kept saying H.A.," she said, pointing quizzically to the letters on the page.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll...1001/BUSINESS02

*Project Jason does not encourage the use of psychics*

[Linda]

Missing woman's relatives turn to psychics
Police will join another search Saturday for the Council Bluffs resident.

May 19, 2006
LISA ROSSI
REGISTER AMES BUREAU

Council Bluffs, Ia. - Tracy Tribble of Council Bluffs disappeared May 3, leaving loose the dog she is said to have loved.

The 35-year-old woman's mother has been so distraught that she has stepped out of her house in Omaha only once since Tribble was reported missing. Other family members and friends continue their searches as they grieve, and police report no clues and no suspects in the case. Tribble's relatives and friends will hold another search Saturday.

The efforts to find Tribble have taken a surreal turn as each day leads to more frustration. In the past weeks, family members have turned to psychics for help and have launched a Web site - tracytribble.com.

Meanwhile, Council Bluffs police said this week that they will scale back their presence at the Saturday search mostly because of overtime expenses.

The ordeal has pushed Tribble's relatives to the brink of despair.

"I'm fast approaching destroyed," said Mary Gostomski, Tribble's mother, through sobs Thursday. "But I still have a little bit of hope, just a little bit."

Specialists in loss and grief say people whose loved ones have vanished suffer in a way that is not soothed by designated times of support.

"It's a silent type of grieving," said John Harvey, a psychology professor at the University of Iowa. Help will drift in and out of their lives until the loved one is found, he said.

Experts in law enforcement added that it's not uncommon for families who are desperate for answers to turn to psychics, although the claims of such practitioners are not accepted as legitimate by psychologists.

Searching for Tribble is "the most horrific experience of my life," said Tribble's aunt, Betty Thomas. "I never knew life to be this painful."

Thomas said it was a psychic she trusted who led her to a home in Madison County this week.

When Thomas and her husband reached a farmhouse in Dexter, the psychic "said we found my niece and we started digging, and we didn't get far when an elderly lady came out and started slowly walking towards us. We didn't know what to do, so we decided to leave," Thomas said.

Tribble's father, John Gostomski, said he last spoke to his daughter two days before she disappeared, discussing her new job, which she said she liked. He said she didn't mention any problems with her husband, Stan.

Police in Council Bluffs say Stan Tribble is their only "person of interest" in the case, but he is not a suspect.

In October 2003, Stan Tribble was arrested for aggravated domestic assault for redness on his wife's throat. Against the advice of the Pottawattamie County attorney's office, Tracy Tribble dropped the charges, the county attorney's office said.

In April, Tribble accused her husband of assaulting her. Charges in that case were filed May 11 by the county attorney's office. Authorities said Tribble had been grabbed, poked and punched, with bruises on her throat, chest and arms. She refused medical treatment for those injuries.

Stan Tribble's attorney, James Burger, said his client had no comment. Burger said he also could not comment on the abuse allegations.

Tracy Tribble was last seen by her husband at 6:30 a.m. on May 3, according to police reports. John Gostomski, who lives in Arizona, is staying in the Omaha area, and has created a search headquarters at his Omaha business, Futureware Distributing Inc. He is offering a $75,000 reward for information about his daughter's whereabouts.

"It's our daughter," he said. "We will use our resources to try our darndest to get her back."

Another member of the search team, Bryon Batchelder, who said he dated Tribble before she married Stan Tribble, also met with Diana Abbott, a woman who told him she had psychic abilities.

Abbott said: "Psychics read energy fields. Victims have an energy field around them. ... The energy is still there for Tracy."

Relatives study those conversations closely.

On Wednesday at the search headquarters in Omaha, Patti Gostomski, Tracy Tribble's stepmother, clutched the notes from recordings of those talks.

"She kept saying H.A.," she said, pointing quizzically to the letters on the page.

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll...1001/BUSINESS02

*Project Jason does not encourage the use of psychics*

[Linda]

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/2831141.html

Families are still praying for loved ones to be found
 
The families of three missing people are still waiting for word on the whereabouts of Amber Harris, Jessica O'Grady, and Tracy Tribble. There is still no definite word on where these missing loved ones are.

Tribble's relatives question whether Tracy is even alive but they are preparing another search in the hopes that their prayers will be answered.

Tribble's father, John Gostomski says it is not like his daughter to be gone this long without contacting anyone. He believes that she has been gone too long.

"When you're searching for this, you know, you are not searching for one that's alive and well, but you have to do it."

A cadaver dog assisted in the search for Tribble last week and much of the area surrounding her home has been eliminated from the search area. This Saturday the search perimeters will expand.

Hundreds of volunteers have shown up to help, but Tribble's husband has not been one of them.

"We've had four days of organized searches and we haven't seen them at one," said Gostomski.

Tribble's husband was the last one to see Tracy and he tells police that she was sleeping when he left for work. Police have released a description of what Tribble was wearing the night before; the last time that someone other than her husband saw her.

Police say that Tribble was seen wearing dark blue jeans, a dark green sweater, and a dark green jacket with a hood. Sgt. Jerry Mann says that these may or may not be the clothes that Tribble was wearing when she disappeared, but it is a starting point.

Mann says they have searched the home a couple of times and the clothes have not yet been discovered.

Police say that Tribble's husband is merely a person of interest and for now, the focus is on finding Tribble.

"We would like to see Tracy show up alive. That's what out ultimate goal is here. We hope that's how this case turns out, but we'll have to see," said Mann.

A tipline has been set up for those who may have any information regarding Tribble, the number is 218-1199.

A search is has also been set up for anyone who would like to help.

Meanwhile at Amber Harris' house, her parents continue that long wait to hear about their missing daughter. Omaha police have contacted them and other families after human remains were found in Hummel Park.

There is a candlelight vigil planned for 7 p.m. on Friday, May 19th at Pulaski Park in 41st and 'H' St. Anyone who would like to join is welcome.

Another family is waiting to hear about their daughter.

Nineteen year old, Jessica O'Grady has been missing for a week and her family is still waiting to hear of any developments.

The Douglas County Sheriff has assigned additional detectives to O'Grady's case.

Anyone with information on where she may be is asked to call the Sheriff's office at 333-1000.

[Linda]

http://www.ketv.com/news/9244933/detail.html

Woman's Body Found Under Bridge
Police Working To Identify Body

POSTED: 11:25 am CDT May 19, 2006
UPDATED: 1:28 pm CDT May 19, 2006


COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Crews are investigating the discovery of a body near the Veteran's Memorial Bridge on the Council Bluffs side of the river.

Investigators confirmed that the body is that of a white woman.

Sgt. Jerry Mann, with the Council Bluffs Police Department, said his office was first contacted at about 2:30 a.m. Friday. A pest control worker reported seeing the body in the river, according to Mann.

The area is residential with a number of mobile homes.

The body was removed and sent to the state lab in Ankeny for identification.

So far, investigators have not linked the discovery to the disappearance of Tracy Tribble, 35, of Council Bluffs, who was last seen on May 3; or that of Jessica O'Grady, 19, of Omaha, who was last seen May 10.

[Linda]

http://www.ketv.com/news/9244933/detail.html

Tribble's Mother Fears Body Is Her Daughter
Police Work To Identify Body

POSTED: 11:25 am CDT May 19, 2006
UPDATED: 5:23 pm CDT May 19, 2006


COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Crews are investigating the discovery of a body near the Veteran's Memorial Bridge on the Council Bluffs side of the river.

Investigators confirmed that the body is that of a white woman.

Sgt. Jerry Mann, with the Council Bluffs Police Department, said his office was first contacted at about 2:30 a.m. Friday. A pest control worker reported seeing the body in the river, according to Mann.

The area is residential, with a number of mobile homes.
 

The body was removed and sent to the state lab in Ankeny for identification. That autopsy is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday.

So far, investigators have not linked the discovery to the disappearance of Tracy Gostomski Tribble, 35, of Council Bluffs, who was last seen on May 3.

Tribble's mother, Mary Gostomski, said people knew her daughter as Tracy Gostomski, so she has asked KETV NewsWatch 7 to add her daugther's maiden name.

Mary Gostomski said she feels that the body found in the river is her daughter's. Investigators would not confirm Gostomski's fears.

"I don't know how I'm going to go on without my daughter. We were such good, good friends," the mother said.

Mary Gostomski said her daughter was last seen by a work friend. She said it would be completely unlike her daughter to disappear without a word. She said she had held out hope of finding her daughter alive, but that hope is now dead for her.

"He coudn't tell us, specifically, that it was my duaghter, but I feel in my heart that it was Tracy, or that it was Tracy," Mary Gostomski said.

Douglas County investigators told KETV NewsWatch 7 on Friday that they believe the body found is not that of Jessica O'Grady, 19, who was last seen on May 10. The sheriff's office said the discovery is not affecting or slowing their investigation of O'Grady's disappearance.

A search to find O'Grady is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Andrew's Church in Omaha at 150th Street and West Maple Road.

[Linda]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1636&u_sid=2174825

Published Sunday
May 21, 2006

Body in river identified as Tribble's

BY KEVIN COLE
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
 
   
COUNCIL BLUFFS - An autopsy confirmed a family's worst fears Saturday when a body found the previous day in the Missouri River was identified as that of Tracy Tribble, a missing 35-year-old woman.

   
John Gostomski grieves for his daughter, Tracy Tribble, with her stepsister, Christine Gaines, after Tribble's body was identified Saturday.
 
Family members received the news shortly before 3 p.m.

"We do have a bit of closure knowing that we found her," said Christine Gaines, Tribble's stepsister. "This chapter may be over, but we intend to see this story through until we know the truth about Tracy's death."

Police Sgt. Jerry Mann said investigators will have to wait for the results of more autopsy tests before deciding whether Tribble's death was a homicide.

"We're looking at this from several different angles," Mann said. "We're waiting for a toxicology report, an alcohol report, and that will take a while."

Tribble was apparently last seen at 6 a.m. May 3 by her husband, Stan Tribble, before he left their home at 133 Benton St. to go to work. Stan Tribble said he had "a tiff" with his wife the previous night.

Tracy Tribble's body was discovered about 10:30 a.m. Friday by a pest control worker visiting 2917 Emil Lane in southern Council Bluffs.

The site is a few miles south of Veterans Memorial Bridge, which links south Omaha and Council Bluffs.

The autopsy was performed at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Ankeny, Iowa. Mann said Tracy Tribble was identified through dental records and tattoos.

Police arrived at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 223 Harmony St., about 2:45 p.m. Saturday and drove three members of Tribble's family - her father, John Gostomski; stepmother, Patti Gostomski; and Gaines - to the police station to hear the news.

Stan Tribble and Tracy's mother, Mary Gostomski, were also told in person by police detectives.

Stan Tribble didn't return phone calls seeking comment. A friend said Mary Gostomski "is just destroyed" by the confirmation of her daughter's death.

Mann said the timing of Tribble's death, how long she was in the river and the cause of death are all questions that have yet to be answered.

"Now we have some investigative processes we want to follow through on," Mann said. "Some involve checking records and some involve checking stories."

Earlier in the day, John Gostomski moved about the search headquarters across from St. Patrick Church, thanking the approximately 50 family members, friends and strangers who came out to help. The autopsy weighed on everyone's mind.

"We think that (the body in the river) was probably her, but we have to go on with the search and hope that it isn't," Gostomski said as a steady rain fell about 11 a.m. "I don't know what else we can do."

Within three days of Tribble's disappearance, Gostomski and the rest of the family began an intensive search for his daughter. Gostomski flew in from his home in Sedona, Ariz., to lead the search.

Fliers were printed, a search headquarters was set up at an Omaha business owned by Gostomski and a $75,000 reward fund was established.

Gostomski said he was touched by the number of volunteers, many of whom had no connection to his business or family.

"It is heartening and pretty spectacular to have so many people come out each weekend," he said. "I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers."

[Linda]

http://www.kptm.com/video/2098442.html?id=470

Body Identified, Tribble Family Mourns Loss
 05/20/2006

The worst fears have come true for friends and family of a missing Council Bluffs woman.

Investigators say the body found in the Missouri River yesterday is 35-year-old Tracy Tribble.

Saturday night, friends and family remembered her life.

The news from Council Bluffs police was what Mary Gostomski prayed she'd never hear.

They told her the body found yesterday in the Missouri River was her daughter's.

Mary had one thing to say...

“Promise me you'll find out who did this to my daughter. No one deserves to die at the hand of someone else,” said Mary.

Detectives say dental records and tattoos were used to make the I.D. during an autopsy.

They're now waiting on toxicology reports that could help their investigation.

At the moment, no arrests have been made, and police tell us they have no suspects.

The news ends two exhausting weeks of searching for Tracy, including one Saturday morning.

“I guess we'll stop looking and start to make the necessary arrangements,” Tracy’s father Jon Gostomski said.

For now, Tribble’s family is remembering what they loved about Tracy.

Her mother says the two of them shared a passion for reading -- just one of the details she'll never forget about her daughter.

“She had a fun childhood. I had fun during her childhood. I loved her so much,” added Mary.

Council Bluffs police say it may be two to four weeks before toxicology reports come back from the autopsy.

They're not saying if the autopsy revealed any signs of foul play.

It's been a long two weeks for the family and friends of Tracy Tribble, and Saturday, KPTM took a look back at how the case has unfolded so far.

Tracy’s Disappearance/Discovery – Timeline of Events

Tracy Tribble was apparently last seen the morning of May 3 by her husband before he left for work.

Four days later on May 7, family and friends began an organized search.

Three days after that, on May 10, the reward for her safe return increased to $75,000.

The morning of May 19, someone spotted a body in the Missouri River.

May 20, autopsy results confirmed the body belongs to 35-year-old Tracy Tribble.

[Linda]

http://www.wowt.com/home/headlines/2852011.html

Tribble Home Searched
House and vehicles checked

 
Council Bluffs Police executed a search Monday night of the home where Tracy Tribble lived with her husband. Ms. Tribble's body was recovered from the Missouri River last week.

The 35-year-old woman had been missing since early in May.

Pottawattamie County Attorney Matt Wilber said Monday night that police were looking for evidence related to the death investigation.

They searched the home and two vehicles parked there.

[Linda]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1636&u_sid=2176262

Published Tuesday
May 23, 2006

Bed parts examined in O'Grady probe

BY JENNIFER GREFF AND SUSAN SZALEWSKI

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITERS
 
   
A box-spring mattress, broken into little pieces, was found Monday night inside the home of the boyfriend of a missing Omaha woman, Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning said today.
 
It appeared someone was trying to remove the mattress from the home without being noticed, he said.

"Why would someone do that?" Dunning said.

Sheriff's officials have interviewed Jessica O'Grady's boyfriend in connection with her disappearance, but he has not been arrested and denies any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, in Council Bluffs, authorities searched the home of Stan and Tracy Tribble. Tracy Tribble's body was found Friday after she was reported missing May 3.

In the O'Grady case, Dunning said the 19-year-old boyfriend has been cooperating with authorities.

O'Grady, a 19-year-old University of Nebraska at Omaha student, last was heard from on May 10. She called friends on her cell phone just after 11:45 p.m. that day as she drove toward 120th and Blondo Streets.

Monday night's search of the home, which is northeast of 132nd and Blondo Streets, was the second conducted there by sheriff's officials. Officials also searched the house with a warrant on May 17.

Attorney James Martin Davis is representing the boyfriend and his aunt, who owns the home and also lives there. Davis said family members were not home when sheriff's deputies arrived with the search warrant about 9 p.m. They did receive a call notifying them that the deputies were entering the home, he said.

"I think the police have a job to do," Davis said, "but I don't want the public to jump to any conclusions.

"I hope (police) are not prematurely turning it into a homicide case."

The sheriff's mobile crime lab officers could be seen removing items from the home Monday night. Neighbors said officials carried out boards, carpet, shovels, brooms, a stair rail and parts of a bed, along with several paper bags.

Dunning said it appeared from Monday's search that there had been a "major" cleanup inside the home, and the windows had been taped up so no one could see inside, he said. Evidence from the search is being analyzed, he said.

During the May 17 search of the home, a neighbor saw crews carry out a headboard, three large bed pillows and large paper bags.

After that search, Douglas County Chief Deputy Marty Bilek said, "We've recovered some evidence to indicate a crime has been committed. It's gone from a missing person to a criminal investigation."

The Sheriff's Office also has seized the boyfriend's car, and they are continuing to search it for evidence, Dunning said.

O'Grady's car was found May 16 at a strip mall in the area of 144th Street and West Center Road.

In Council Bluffs Monday, police served a second search warrant at the home of Stan and Tracy Tribble, 133 Benton St., about 8 p.m.

Tracy Tribble apparently was last being seen by her husband when he left for work the morning of May 3. Stan Tribble said he had "a tiff" with his wife the previous night.

Tracy Tribble's body was recovered Friday from the Missouri River on the southern edge of Council Bluffs. Investigators have said they still are awaiting a cause of death for Tribble and said they are waiting for the results of more tests before deciding whether her death was a homicide.

[Linda]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=1636&u_sid=2176987

Published Thursday
May 25, 2006

Tribble autopsy completed

BY TOM SHAW
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
 
   
COUNCIL BLUFFS - An autopsy on the body of a 35-year-old Council Bluffs woman showed that the left side of her face was fractured and several teeth were missing.
 
The body of Tracy Tribble, who was reported missing three weeks ago, was found Friday in the Missouri River.

In a search warrant application for Tracy and Stan Tribble's home, Bluffs police wrote that they were looking for Tracy's teeth, hair or fake fingernails at the home or in the couple's two vehicles.

They also were looking for blood or other DNA evidence that would indicate "any struggle in the residence and vehicles."

The court papers in support of the warrant, which was served Monday night, do not reveal how Tribble suffered her injuries. However, a state medical examiner told police that the injuries could have come from "a fist and or an unknown object."

Some details from the autopsy were included in the application for the search warrant.

Also in the court papers, police say that Stan Tribble told them that he and Tracy had been "yelling at each other" and that "his wife Tracy has talked about suicide during the arguments."

Stan Tribble told police that he last saw his wife when he left for work the morning of May 3. Stan Tribble said he had "a tiff" with his wife the previous night.

He has not been arrested in connection with his wife's disappearance.

During Monday night's search of the home, officers removed pillowcases, sheets and comforters. They also seized a fitted bed pad from an outside trash can and a water bed liner from an outside trash can.

Police first searched the Tribble home and vehicles on May 11, the day Stan Tribble hired an attorney and told police to talk with the attorney in the future.

Stan Tribble's attorney, James Burger, did not return a phone call Wednesday evening seeking comment on the information in the court papers.