What the Bookbag Contents Tell Us: Their Important Significance in the Case

Among the items reported as missing from Asha’s home were her black and beige bookbag. It’s believed that Asha packed the items I’ve listed below. As I mentioned, I do not have the benefit of any other items/information that police may be holding back to protect the strength of their case, so there could be other articles of clothing or personal effects not included, here.

Clothing:

• Favorite Jeans with Red Side Stripe
• Long-Sleeved White Nylon Shirt
• Red Vest with Black Trim
• Black Overalls with Tweety Bird
• Black & White Long-Sleeved Shirt
• Basketball Uniform

Other Items Included:

• Lime Green Tweety Bird Purse
• Black Shoes
• Asha’s Wallet
• 3 Family Photos
• House Key

Asha reportedly packed two outfits as well as her basketball uniform. Among the other items, I believe the three family photos reported missing help confirm my suspicions that a trusting adult was involved in Asha’s disappearance, directing what goes inside the bag.

There seems to be a pattern here, with ‘three things’ and I believe said suspect’s reasoning was that one–or even two–photos may go unnoticed but three would most likely be missed. This phenomenon, is known as ‘change blindness‘ where objects missing from an arrangement or collection can go unnoticed; the more objects missing, the less likely we are to overlook the difference. Also, three outfits are packed.

I’ll talk about another instance fitting this practice, on the next page.

But for now, let’s take a look at the clothing:

Asha’s basketball uniform is quite telling. Its inclusion in the bookbag supports my theory that the team’s loss was not the catalyst for Asha leaving home. One wouldn’t pack the source of their pain, (fouling out and the team’s loss) and its humiliation, rather, one shouldn’t be surprised if the uniform was in shreds in the garbage bin if, indeed losing the game prompted Asha’s leaving home.

It’s reported that Asha packed her favorite jeans along with a red vest and black shoes. I believe the red vest further supports the idea that the offender knew Asha and her wardrobe. It being Valentine’s Day, the red color would have been appropriate for a celebration. It’s reported Asha’s school wasn’t exchanging cards or doing any celebrating for the holiday, so the outfit wasn’t part of any school function.

I’m assuming the black shoes weren’t of the athletic ilk and may possibly be dressier footwear. It makes sense that this complete outfit above–paired with the black shoes–suggests the clothing was most likely part of a scheme that included a ‘surprise’ celebration. Perhaps an anniversary party.

All considering, my theory is very plausible–one where keeping such a secret makes sense–and wouldn’t violate Asha’s ‘world’ where family is of utmost importance and rules are followed. I believe the ‘three-item’ factor, where the family photos went missing along with three outfits is by the perpetrator’s design and suggest planning and adult thinking.

I’ll talk more about the totality of this ideal later and why I believe in the contents of the bookbag is a product of an adult’s thinking versus that of a nine-year-old’s.

I have chosen to hold back what I believe to be one of the perpetrator’s ‘mistakes,’ as it’s rather incriminating. I’m not a member of law enforcement and it would be irresponsible of me to reveal it here, on this very-public blog. Too, it’s highly doubtful investigators would be interested in what I think.

To read more about change blindness, here’s a great article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inattentional_blindness#Perceptual_load

 

Page Poser: What do you think about the actual items in the bookbag?  Do you agree Asha’s bookbag and its contents were followed as part of an adult’s direction? Do you feel only a person who knows Asha is responsible for the bookbag’s contents?  Have any thoughts about what might have happened to Asha changed since reading these first pages? Does anything really trouble you?