The disappearances of two Grand Junction women and two children on Aug. 23 may be related, a detective said today.
But despite speculation Mrs. Linda Miracle, 24, her two children Troy, 5, and Chad, 3, and neighbor Mrs. Patricia Botham, 25, left mysteriously at the same time, the circumstances weren’t necessarily the same.
This was the word from Sgt. Fred Albrecht who thinks at least one of the women left on her own free will and “doesn’t want to be found.” Albrecht contended earlier that the disappearances were just a coincidence.
Relatives reported the disappearances Aug. 23 and are concerned something tragic has happened to them.
Tuesday the department issued missing persons bulletins on all four for distribution throughout Colorado and major police agencies in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Utah, according to Capt. Robert Burnett.
In the bulletin the disappearance of Mrs. Miracle and her children from their home at 1925 Ouray was pinpointed between 11:30 p.m. Aug. 23 and 4:20 p.m. Aug. 24 Mrs. Botham, police believe, left her sons, aged five and two, at their 1914 Ouray home sometime between 8 p.m. Aug. 22 and 5 p.m. Aug. 23.
“We’ve had a lot of good leads, but they’re all turning out to be erroneous,” Albrecht said.
Since the women were reported missing by relatives, police have interviewed 60 persons in connection with the case to determine the circumstances surrounding the disappearances, Albrecht added.
Albrecht said he believes someone knows where the Miracle family is, but claims if so Mrs. Miracle “doesn’t want to be found.” Hence, complications in solving the case.
According to her mother-in-law, Mrs. Dewey Miracle, relatives have talked about hiring a private detective to investigate the disappearances.
“But so much time has passed, I don’t know if it will be worth it,” Mrs. Miracle said.
She said the family is “baffled” and “numbed” by the case and are concerned something has happened to the women and her children.
Albrecht emphasized again today, however, there is no evidence foul play is involved in the case.
When the woman left each vanished without the use of cars. Both of their cars were found in their respective driveways.
The Botham woman’s children were found the afternoon of Aug. 23 at their home alone by the father, Ken Botham. Soon after the Miracle’s were discovered missing as well.
Mrs. Miracle is separated from her husband Delbert. He was told his wife and children were missing Aug 24 after returning from a weekly trip to California.