Mark Redwine and "Rumors" by Kaaryn Gough

by Statement Analyst, Kaaryn Gough

As I said to Elaine Redwine the other night on Crime Wire, this case is never far from my thinking. I read the transcripts from Mark’s interviews regularly and am quite familiar with them. While watching a television program tonight, one of the characters used the phrase, “rumor has it” and suddenly I recalled seeing the word “rumors” somewhere in one of Mark’s interviews and it struck me at the time as being an odd word for him to use. I immediately went searching through the transcripts and found it. I now know why it struck me as being odd.

Nov 29, 2012 interview with KOAT Channel 7

MR:

I've been working closely with the investigators to do what needed to be done because you know, he was last seen at my house. And though there's rumors going around that he's been spotted by people, you know, our concern is that something has happened to the point now where we just want to keep in the public's eye, you know Dylan's face, keep the focus on Dylan.

 “rumor”— Definitions: 

1) A currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth. 

2) Talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source

Mark’s use of “rumors” indicates he is doubtful the stories or reports that Dylan has been spotted are true.

The parent of a missing child who had nothing to do with the child’s disappearance would cling to the hope the stories or reports are true and would never consider them  to be “rumors”. Instead, they would considered "possible leads". 

Q: How would Mark know or be able to doubt whether Dylan was spotted by people or not?

A:  Mark’s brain knows it’s not possible that Dylan has been spotted by others.

As for the stories or reports having no discernable sources,(definition #2)  it doesn’t make sense for him to label them as "rumors". If people believe they spotted Dylan, naturally they would report this to the police and make a statement. Therefore, they would be discernable sources. Additionally, when a person makes a reports to police, it is never considered to be a “rumor”, even if it is later proven to be mistaken identity or even a complete lie.

"rumors" is Mark's word and by labeling them as such, he is able to conscript witnesses without having to identify who they are or what they said. These “rumors” help to perpetuate the possibility that Dylan is still alive and was seen after the time Mark reported him missing.