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FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery

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  FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery Joe Snodgrass <joe.snod@yahoo.com> - 2011-03-30 13:25 -0700
    Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery Fons Adriaensen <fons@linuxaudio.org> - 2011-03-30 20:56 +0000
      Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery harrismh777 <harrismh777@charter.net> - 2011-03-30 17:11 -0500
    Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery David Bernier <david250@videotron.ca> - 2011-03-30 21:22 -0400
    Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery "Stretto" <Stretto@Nowhere.com> - 2011-03-30 21:18 -0500
      Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery Graham Cooper <grahamcooper7@gmail.com> - 2011-03-30 19:17 -0700
      Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery David Bernier <david250@videotron.ca> - 2011-03-31 00:49 -0400
      Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery Joe Snodgrass <joe.snod@yahoo.com> - 2011-03-31 12:15 -0700
        Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery haha doh <rellikmaet@gmail.com> - 2011-03-31 21:07 -0700
          Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery David Bernier <david250@videotron.ca> - 2011-04-01 10:54 -0400
            Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery Joe Snodgrass <joe.snod@yahoo.com> - 2011-04-02 06:33 -0700
              Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery David Bernier <david250@videotron.ca> - 2011-04-02 10:45 -0400
                Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery Joe Snodgrass <joe.snod@yahoo.com> - 2011-04-02 19:19 -0700
                Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery "Stretto" <Stretto@Nowhere.com> - 2011-04-02 23:46 -0500
    Re: FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery xDog Walker <thudfoo@gmail.com> - 2011-03-30 14:18 -0700

#2246 — FBI wants public help solving encrypted notes from murder mystery

FBI cryptanalysis hasn’t decrypted notes from 1999 murder mystery

http://tinyurl.com/4d56zsz

The FBI is seeking the public's help in breaking the encrypted code
found in two notes discovered on the body of a murdered man in 1999.

The FBI says that officers in St. Louis, Missouri discovered the body
of 41-year-old Ricky McCormick on June 30, 1999 in a field and the
clues regarding the homicide were two encrypted notes found in the
victim's pants pockets.

The FBI says that despite extensive work by its Cryptanalysis and
Racketeering Records Unit (CRRU), and the American Cryptogram
Association, the meanings of those two coded notes remain a mystery
and McCormick's murderer has never been found. One has to wonder
though, if the FBI can't figure this out, who can? But I digress.

From the FBI: "The more than 30 lines of coded material use a
maddening variety of letters, numbers, dashes, and parentheses.
McCormick was a high school dropout, but he was able to read and write
and was said to be 'street smart.' According to members of his family,
McCormick had used such encrypted notes since he was a boy, but
apparently no one in his family knows how to decipher the codes, and
it's unknown whether anyone besides McCormick could translate his
secret language. Investigators believe the notes in McCormick's
pockets were written up to three days before his death."

"Standard routes of cryptanalysis seem to have hit brick walls," said
CRRU chief Dan Olson in a statement. To move the case forward,
examiners need another sample of McCormick's coded system-or a similar
one-that might offer context to the mystery notes or allow valuable
comparisons to be made. Or, short of new evidence, Olson said, "Maybe
someone with a fresh set of eyes might come up with a brilliant new
idea."

The FBI says it has always relied on public tips and other assistance
to solve crimes though breaking a code may represent a special
circumstance.

For larger images of the notes go here. [LINK]

If you have an idea how to break the code, have seen similar codes, or
have any information about the Ricky McCormick case, write to CRRU at
the following address:

FBI Laboratory
Cryptanalysis and Racketeering Records Unit
2501 Investigation Parkway
Quantico, VA 22135
Attn: Ricky McCormick Case

There is no reward being offered, just the knowledge that you may be
solving an intriguing murder mystery, the FBI stated.

[toc] | [next] | [standalone]

#2247

On Wed, Mar 30, 2011 at 01:25:54PM -0700, Joe Snodgrass wrote:

> For larger images of the notes go here. [LINK]

[LINK]  ???

-- 
FA

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#2248

Fons Adriaensen wrote:
> [LINK]  ???

http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=10823

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#2261

Joe Snodgrass wrote:
>
> FBI cryptanalysis hasn’t decrypted notes from 1999 murder mystery
>
> http://tinyurl.com/4d56zsz
>
> The FBI is seeking the public's help in breaking the encrypted code
> found in two notes discovered on the body of a murdered man in 1999.
>
> The FBI says that officers in St. Louis, Missouri discovered the body
> of 41-year-old Ricky McCormick on June 30, 1999 in a field and the
> clues regarding the homicide were two encrypted notes found in the
> victim's pants pockets.
>
> The FBI says that despite extensive work by its Cryptanalysis and
> Racketeering Records Unit (CRRU), and the American Cryptogram
> Association, the meanings of those two coded notes remain a mystery
> and McCormick's murderer has never been found. One has to wonder
> though, if the FBI can't figure this out, who can? But I digress.
>
>  From the FBI: "The more than 30 lines of coded material use a
> maddening variety of letters, numbers, dashes, and parentheses.
> McCormick was a high school dropout, but he was able to read and write
> and was said to be 'street smart.' According to members of his family,
> McCormick had used such encrypted notes since he was a boy, but
> apparently no one in his family knows how to decipher the codes, and
> it's unknown whether anyone besides McCormick could translate his
> secret language. Investigators believe the notes in McCormick's
> pockets were written up to three days before his death."
>
> "Standard routes of cryptanalysis seem to have hit brick walls," said
> CRRU chief Dan Olson in a statement. To move the case forward,
> examiners need another sample of McCormick's coded system-or a similar
> one-that might offer context to the mystery notes or allow valuable
> comparisons to be made. Or, short of new evidence, Olson said, "Maybe
> someone with a fresh set of eyes might come up with a brilliant new
> idea."
>
> The FBI says it has always relied on public tips and other assistance
> to solve crimes though breaking a code may represent a special
> circumstance.
[...]

There are two JPG images (note1.jpg and note2.jpg) at the web page:

< http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/march > .

As they say there:
" View larger versions (right click and save the files to enlarge further)."
i.e. :
Right click on first image and "Save image as ..." using the browser,
""     ""   on second image and "Save image as ..." using the browser.

I used the GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) to
enlarge and otherwise manipulate the images.  But each
is only about 50 to 80 kilobytes ...

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#2262

"Joe Snodgrass" <joe.snod@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:c37e8e0b-a825-4ac5-9886-8828ab1faf94@x8g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
>
> FBI cryptanalysis hasn’t decrypted notes from 1999 murder mystery
>
> http://tinyurl.com/4d56zsz
>
> The FBI is seeking the public's help in breaking the encrypted code
> found in two notes discovered on the body of a murdered man in 1999.
>
> The FBI says that officers in St. Louis, Missouri discovered the body
> of 41-year-old Ricky McCormick on June 30, 1999 in a field and the
> clues regarding the homicide were two encrypted notes found in the
> victim's pants pockets.
>
> The FBI says that despite extensive work by its Cryptanalysis and
> Racketeering Records Unit (CRRU), and the American Cryptogram
> Association, the meanings of those two coded notes remain a mystery
> and McCormick's murderer has never been found. One has to wonder
> though, if the FBI can't figure this out, who can? But I digress.
>
> From the FBI: "The more than 30 lines of coded material use a
> maddening variety of letters, numbers, dashes, and parentheses.
> McCormick was a high school dropout, but he was able to read and write
> and was said to be 'street smart.' According to members of his family,
> McCormick had used such encrypted notes since he was a boy, but
> apparently no one in his family knows how to decipher the codes, and
> it's unknown whether anyone besides McCormick could translate his
> secret language. Investigators believe the notes in McCormick's
> pockets were written up to three days before his death."
>
> "Standard routes of cryptanalysis seem to have hit brick walls," said
> CRRU chief Dan Olson in a statement. To move the case forward,
> examiners need another sample of McCormick's coded system-or a similar
> one-that might offer context to the mystery notes or allow valuable
> comparisons to be made. Or, short of new evidence, Olson said, "Maybe
> someone with a fresh set of eyes might come up with a brilliant new
> idea."
>
> The FBI says it has always relied on public tips and other assistance
> to solve crimes though breaking a code may represent a special
> circumstance.
>
> For larger images of the notes go here. [LINK]
>
> If you have an idea how to break the code, have seen similar codes, or
> have any information about the Ricky McCormick case, write to CRRU at
> the following address:
>
> FBI Laboratory
> Cryptanalysis and Racketeering Records Unit
> 2501 Investigation Parkway
> Quantico, VA 22135
> Attn: Ricky McCormick Case
>
> There is no reward being offered, just the knowledge that you may be
> solving an intriguing murder mystery, the FBI stated.

No other information about the guy? It might help. If the note is of any use 
then people and places would be in it. If that is the case then it would 
help to know where he lived and some of the names of people he knows.

The note seems like it may not be just encrypted but a sort of 
compression(or rather shorthand/jargon) was used. Was the guy a drug dealer? 
It could be a list of "clients" or information about where he sold drugs(the 
numbers look like street addresses or amounts.

If these kinda notes were so common from this guy then surely the FBI should 
have many more?

Seems like the FBI could do more if they wanted it really solved... 

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#2264

On Mar 31, 12:18 pm, "Stretto" <Stre...@Nowhere.com> wrote:
> "Joe Snodgrass" <joe.s...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:c37e8e0b-a825-4ac5-9886-8828ab1faf94@x8g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > FBI cryptanalysis hasn’t decrypted notes from 1999 murder mystery
>
> >http://tinyurl.com/4d56zsz
>
> > The FBI is seeking the public's help in breaking the encrypted code
> > found in two notes discovered on the body of a murdered man in 1999.
>
> > The FBI says that officers in St. Louis, Missouri discovered the body
> > of 41-year-old Ricky McCormick on June 30, 1999 in a field and the
> > clues regarding the homicide were two encrypted notes found in the
> > victim's pants pockets.
>
> > The FBI says that despite extensive work by its Cryptanalysis and
> > Racketeering Records Unit (CRRU), and the American Cryptogram
> > Association, the meanings of those two coded notes remain a mystery
> > and McCormick's murderer has never been found. One has to wonder
> > though, if the FBI can't figure this out, who can? But I digress.
>
> > From the FBI: "The more than 30 lines of coded material use a
> > maddening variety of letters, numbers, dashes, and parentheses.
> > McCormick was a high school dropout, but he was able to read and write
> > and was said to be 'street smart.' According to members of his family,
> > McCormick had used such encrypted notes since he was a boy, but
> > apparently no one in his family knows how to decipher the codes, and
> > it's unknown whether anyone besides McCormick could translate his
> > secret language. Investigators believe the notes in McCormick's
> > pockets were written up to three days before his death."
>
> > "Standard routes of cryptanalysis seem to have hit brick walls," said
> > CRRU chief Dan Olson in a statement. To move the case forward,
> > examiners need another sample of McCormick's coded system-or a similar
> > one-that might offer context to the mystery notes or allow valuable
> > comparisons to be made. Or, short of new evidence, Olson said, "Maybe
> > someone with a fresh set of eyes might come up with a brilliant new
> > idea."
>
> > The FBI says it has always relied on public tips and other assistance
> > to solve crimes though breaking a code may represent a special
> > circumstance.
>
> > For larger images of the notes go here. [LINK]
>
> > If you have an idea how to break the code, have seen similar codes, or
> > have any information about the Ricky McCormick case, write to CRRU at
> > the following address:
>
> > FBI Laboratory
> > Cryptanalysis and Racketeering Records Unit
> > 2501 Investigation Parkway
> > Quantico, VA 22135
> > Attn: Ricky McCormick Case
>
> > There is no reward being offered, just the knowledge that you may be
> > solving an intriguing murder mystery, the FBI stated.
>
> No other information about the guy? It might help. If the note is of any use
> then people and places would be in it. If that is the case then it would
> help to know where he lived and some of the names of people he knows.
>
> The note seems like it may not be just encrypted but a sort of
> compression(or rather shorthand/jargon) was used. Was the guy a drug dealer?
> It could be a list of "clients" or information about where he sold drugs(the
> numbers look like street addresses or amounts.
>
> If these kinda notes were so common from this guy then surely the FBI should
> have many more?
>
> Seems like the FBI could do more if they wanted it really solved..



I can use my psychic powers to solve the crime!

I did a test on the Australian Channel 9 News website a few months
ago...

Given a sequence of photos tell who is a notorious criminal and who is
a professional surfer!

I got every one right!  My psychic channels were spot on, e.g. "had a
big magazine following" -> SURFER



G. Adam

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#2272

Stretto wrote:
>
>
> "Joe Snodgrass" <joe.snod@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:c37e8e0b-a825-4ac5-9886-8828ab1faf94@x8g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> FBI cryptanalysis hasn’t decrypted notes from 1999 murder mystery
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/4d56zsz
>>
>> The FBI is seeking the public's help in breaking the encrypted code
>> found in two notes discovered on the body of a murdered man in 1999.
>>
>> The FBI says that officers in St. Louis, Missouri discovered the body
>> of 41-year-old Ricky McCormick on June 30, 1999 in a field and the
>> clues regarding the homicide were two encrypted notes found in the
>> victim's pants pockets.
>>
>> The FBI says that despite extensive work by its Cryptanalysis and
>> Racketeering Records Unit (CRRU), and the American Cryptogram
>> Association, the meanings of those two coded notes remain a mystery
>> and McCormick's murderer has never been found. One has to wonder
>> though, if the FBI can't figure this out, who can? But I digress.
>>
>> From the FBI: "The more than 30 lines of coded material use a
>> maddening variety of letters, numbers, dashes, and parentheses.
>> McCormick was a high school dropout, but he was able to read and write
>> and was said to be 'street smart.' According to members of his family,
>> McCormick had used such encrypted notes since he was a boy, but
>> apparently no one in his family knows how to decipher the codes, and
>> it's unknown whether anyone besides McCormick could translate his
>> secret language. Investigators believe the notes in McCormick's
>> pockets were written up to three days before his death."
>>
>> "Standard routes of cryptanalysis seem to have hit brick walls," said
>> CRRU chief Dan Olson in a statement. To move the case forward,
>> examiners need another sample of McCormick's coded system-or a similar
>> one-that might offer context to the mystery notes or allow valuable
>> comparisons to be made. Or, short of new evidence, Olson said, "Maybe
>> someone with a fresh set of eyes might come up with a brilliant new
>> idea."
>>
>> The FBI says it has always relied on public tips and other assistance
>> to solve crimes though breaking a code may represent a special
>> circumstance.
>>
>> For larger images of the notes go here. [LINK]
>>
>> If you have an idea how to break the code, have seen similar codes, or
>> have any information about the Ricky McCormick case, write to CRRU at
>> the following address:
>>
>> FBI Laboratory
>> Cryptanalysis and Racketeering Records Unit
>> 2501 Investigation Parkway
>> Quantico, VA 22135
>> Attn: Ricky McCormick Case
>>
>> There is no reward being offered, just the knowledge that you may be
>> solving an intriguing murder mystery, the FBI stated.
>
> No other information about the guy? It might help. If the note is of any
> use then people and places would be in it. If that is the case then it
> would help to know where he lived and some of the names of people he knows.
>
> The note seems like it may not be just encrypted but a sort of
> compression(or rather shorthand/jargon) was used. Was the guy a drug
> dealer? It could be a list of "clients" or information about where he
> sold drugs(the numbers look like street addresses or amounts.
>
> If these kinda notes were so common from this guy then surely the FBI
> should have many more?
>
> Seems like the FBI could do more if they wanted it really solved...

First of all, out of respect for the deceased, Ricky McCormick and
in keeping with a spirit of fairness, I must say that what follows
may be pure coincidence, perhaps a 10% chance of mistaken identity
and a 90% chance of not-mistaken identity.

Background on a Joplin, Missouri 1982 killing/murder
the person killed:   Darrell Ruestman
the killer:          Alan J. Bannister

The prosecution's theory was that AJ Bannister murdered Darrell Ruestman.
This led to AJ Bannister's murder conviction, which was upheld
on appeal.

But see this if you wish for another theory:
< http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/sr214/usletter.htm > .

In any case, Darrell Ruestman was killed in 1982.

 From the case:  BANNISTER v. DELO,
< 
http://mo.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.%2FFDCT%2FWMO%2F1995%2F19950915_0000019.WMO.htm/qx 
 >

This court opinion mentions three affidavits:
1. Wooten Affidavit
2. Taylor Affidavit
3. Trombley Affidavit  (writer and film maker)

In the Trombley Affidavit, one finds:
"Finally, Trombley's statement about what Bannister says happened directly 
contradicts the testimony of Linda McCormick, Ruestman's girlfriend, who was in 
the trailer at the time of the murder and testified that she heard no 
conversations before hearing the shot. See Tr. III at 49, 65. "

and also:

"For instance, Trombley links McCormick to Wooten and Wooten to Ruestman's 
murder (thereby conflicting with Wooten's affidavit). However, Trombley also 
connects Wooten and Bannister. See affidavit at 9. These facts could support the 
State's theory that Wooten, acting as a middleman for McCormick, hired Bannister 
to murder Ruestman just as easily as they support Trombley's accidental shooting 
theory."

 From another web page:
"On August 20, 1982, Darrell Ruestman was living in a Joplin trailer park with 
Linda McCormick, then married to Richard McCormick. "

So, Richard McCormick was married to Linda McCormick, but it appears they were
separated:

" When Bannister expressed interest, Wooten explained that a man whose wife left 
him for another man wanted to have the latter killed."

-->
< http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/bannister418.htm >
(site sympathetic to alternate theory:  AJ Bannister did not commit
  pre-meditated murder of Ruestman).

===

Out of all this, one Richard McCormick was married but separated
from his wife Linda McCormick, in 1982.  That year, Linda McCormick
was living in a trailer park in Joplin, Missouri, about
250 miles from St. Louis, Missouri.  Linda McCormick is known
to have associated with drug dealers at that time.

Missouri population: 5,987,580  - Jul 2009.

In 1982, the person murdered in 1999, Ricky McCormick,
would have been 24 years old.  Either Ricky McCormick
and Richard McCormick are related, or else they
aren't related.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#2297

On Mar 30, 10:18 pm, "Stretto" <Stre...@Nowhere.com> wrote:
> "Joe Snodgrass" <joe.s...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:c37e8e0b-a825-4ac5-9886-8828ab1faf94@x8g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > FBI cryptanalysis hasn’t decrypted notes from 1999 murder mystery
>
> >http://tinyurl.com/4d56zsz
>
> > The FBI is seeking the public's help in breaking the encrypted code
> > found in two notes discovered on the body of a murdered man in 1999.
>
> > The FBI says that officers in St. Louis, Missouri discovered the body
> > of 41-year-old Ricky McCormick on June 30, 1999 in a field and the
> > clues regarding the homicide were two encrypted notes found in the
> > victim's pants pockets.
>
> > The FBI says that despite extensive work by its Cryptanalysis and
> > Racketeering Records Unit (CRRU), and the American Cryptogram
> > Association, the meanings of those two coded notes remain a mystery
> > and McCormick's murderer has never been found. One has to wonder
> > though, if the FBI can't figure this out, who can? But I digress.
>
> > From the FBI: "The more than 30 lines of coded material use a
> > maddening variety of letters, numbers, dashes, and parentheses.
> > McCormick was a high school dropout, but he was able to read and write
> > and was said to be 'street smart.' According to members of his family,
> > McCormick had used such encrypted notes since he was a boy, but
> > apparently no one in his family knows how to decipher the codes, and
> > it's unknown whether anyone besides McCormick could translate his
> > secret language. Investigators believe the notes in McCormick's
> > pockets were written up to three days before his death."
>
> > "Standard routes of cryptanalysis seem to have hit brick walls," said
> > CRRU chief Dan Olson in a statement. To move the case forward,
> > examiners need another sample of McCormick's coded system-or a similar
> > one-that might offer context to the mystery notes or allow valuable
> > comparisons to be made. Or, short of new evidence, Olson said, "Maybe
> > someone with a fresh set of eyes might come up with a brilliant new
> > idea."
>
> > The FBI says it has always relied on public tips and other assistance
> > to solve crimes though breaking a code may represent a special
> > circumstance.
>
> > For larger images of the notes go here. [LINK]
>
> > If you have an idea how to break the code, have seen similar codes, or
> > have any information about the Ricky McCormick case, write to CRRU at
> > the following address:
>
> > FBI Laboratory
> > Cryptanalysis and Racketeering Records Unit
> > 2501 Investigation Parkway
> > Quantico, VA 22135
> > Attn: Ricky McCormick Case
>
> > There is no reward being offered, just the knowledge that you may be
> > solving an intriguing murder mystery, the FBI stated.
>
> No other information about the guy? It might help. If the note is of any use
> then people and places would be in it. If that is the case then it would
> help to know where he lived and some of the names of people he knows.
>
> The note seems like it may not be just encrypted but a sort of
> compression(or rather shorthand/jargon) was used. Was the guy a drug dealer?
> It could be a list of "clients" or information about where he sold drugs(the
> numbers look like street addresses or amounts.
>
> If these kinda notes were so common from this guy then surely the FBI should
> have many more?
>
> Seems like the FBI could do more if they wanted it really solved...

As to which crime was being committed, I'm going with numbers running
or loan sharking.  There's no reason for any crook to keep any record
of any other crime, except prostitution, where phone books come in
handy.

Thievery is not an honest business, and records of what went down,
where and with whom can only hurt you.  Unless of course, it's a grand
list of felonies that he was using to blackmail the participants.

But I can't see gathering that much info from blackmail.  I always
thought it involved one guy blackmailing one victim.  This would imply
a factory scale process, and he'd need some way to lure his prey into
the trap.

Of course, that WOULD be a good way to get murdered.

[toc] | [prev] | [next] | [standalone]

#2332

On Mar 31, 3:15 pm, Joe Snodgrass <joe.s...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Mar 30, 10:18 pm, "Stretto" <Stre...@Nowhere.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > "Joe Snodgrass" <joe.s...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> >news:c37e8e0b-a825-4ac5-9886-8828ab1faf94@x8g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
>
> > > FBI cryptanalysis hasn’t decrypted notes from 1999 murder mystery
>
> > >http://tinyurl.com/4d56zsz
>
> > > The FBI is seeking the public's help in breaking the encrypted code
> > > found in two notes discovered on the body of a murdered man in 1999.
>
> > > The FBI says that officers in St. Louis, Missouri discovered the body
> > > of 41-year-old Ricky McCormick on June 30, 1999 in a field and the
> > > clues regarding the homicide were two encrypted notes found in the
> > > victim's pants pockets.
>
> > > The FBI says that despite extensive work by its Cryptanalysis and
> > > Racketeering Records Unit (CRRU), and the American Cryptogram
> > > Association, the meanings of those two coded notes remain a mystery
> > > and McCormick's murderer has never been found. One has to wonder
> > > though, if the FBI can't figure this out, who can? But I digress.
>
> > > From the FBI: "The more than 30 lines of coded material use a
> > > maddening variety of letters, numbers, dashes, and parentheses.
> > > McCormick was a high school dropout, but he was able to read and write
> > > and was said to be 'street smart.' According to members of his family,
> > > McCormick had used such encrypted notes since he was a boy, but
> > > apparently no one in his family knows how to decipher the codes, and
> > > it's unknown whether anyone besides McCormick could translate his
> > > secret language. Investigators believe the notes in McCormick's
> > > pockets were written up to three days before his death."
>
> > > "Standard routes of cryptanalysis seem to have hit brick walls," said
> > > CRRU chief Dan Olson in a statement. To move the case forward,
> > > examiners need another sample of McCormick's coded system-or a similar
> > > one-that might offer context to the mystery notes or allow valuable
> > > comparisons to be made. Or, short of new evidence, Olson said, "Maybe
> > > someone with a fresh set of eyes might come up with a brilliant new
> > > idea."
>
> > > The FBI says it has always relied on public tips and other assistance
> > > to solve crimes though breaking a code may represent a special
> > > circumstance.
>
> > > For larger images of the notes go here. [LINK]
>
> > > If you have an idea how to break the code, have seen similar codes, or
> > > have any information about the Ricky McCormick case, write to CRRU at
> > > the following address:
>
> > > FBI Laboratory
> > > Cryptanalysis and Racketeering Records Unit
> > > 2501 Investigation Parkway
> > > Quantico, VA 22135
> > > Attn: Ricky McCormick Case
>
> > > There is no reward being offered, just the knowledge that you may be
> > > solving an intriguing murder mystery, the FBI stated.
>
> > No other information about the guy? It might help. If the note is of any use
> > then people and places would be in it. If that is the case then it would
> > help to know where he lived and some of the names of people he knows.
>
> > The note seems like it may not be just encrypted but a sort of
> > compression(or rather shorthand/jargon) was used. Was the guy a drug dealer?
> > It could be a list of "clients" or information about where he sold drugs(the
> > numbers look like street addresses or amounts.
>
> > If these kinda notes were so common from this guy then surely the FBI should
> > have many more?
>
> > Seems like the FBI could do more if they wanted it really solved...
>
> As to which crime was being committed, I'm going with numbers running
> or loan sharking.  There's no reason for any crook to keep any record
> of any other crime, except prostitution, where phone books come in
> handy.
>
> Thievery is not an honest business, and records of what went down,
> where and with whom can only hurt you.  Unless of course, it's a grand
> list of felonies that he was using to blackmail the participants.
>
> But I can't see gathering that much info from blackmail.  I always
> thought it involved one guy blackmailing one victim.  This would imply
> a factory scale process, and he'd need some way to lure his prey into
> the trap.
>
> Of course, that WOULD be a good way to get murdered.
This is him
http://img851.imageshack.us/i/4d93ac54b10bcimage.jpg/

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#2359

haha doh wrote:
> On Mar 31, 3:15 pm, Joe Snodgrass<joe.s...@yahoo.com>  wrote:
[...]

>> As to which crime was being committed, I'm going with numbers running
>> or loan sharking.  There's no reason for any crook to keep any record
>> of any other crime, except prostitution, where phone books come in
>> handy.
>>
>> Thievery is not an honest business, and records of what went down,
>> where and with whom can only hurt you.  Unless of course, it's a grand
>> list of felonies that he was using to blackmail the participants.
>>
>> But I can't see gathering that much info from blackmail.  I always
>> thought it involved one guy blackmailing one victim.  This would imply
>> a factory scale process, and he'd need some way to lure his prey into
>> the trap.
>>
>> Of course, that WOULD be a good way to get murdered.
> This is him
> http://img851.imageshack.us/i/4d93ac54b10bcimage.jpg/

True indeed! , according to a story posted on March 30 on the
website of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
< 
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/ad567e00-5b13-11e0-8ed4-00127992bc8b.html> 
.

That web page has a link to a 1999 article on the discovery of the body:
< http://www.stltoday.com/news/article_bcc02074-5b1a-11e0-b199-0017a4a78c22.html > .

An officer with the local Major Case Squad unit is quoted there. I quote
from the 1999 story:

<< "We cannot find any motive for his death, " he said.
"We're not absolutely sure that this is a homicide." >> .

David Bernier

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#2455

On Apr 1, 10:54 am, David Bernier <david...@videotron.ca> wrote:
> haha doh wrote:
> > On Mar 31, 3:15 pm, Joe Snodgrass<joe.s...@yahoo.com>  wrote:
>
> [...]
>
>
>
> >> As to which crime was being committed, I'm going with numbers running
> >> or loan sharking.  There's no reason for any crook to keep any record
> >> of any other crime, except prostitution, where phone books come in
> >> handy.
>
> >> Thievery is not an honest business, and records of what went down,
> >> where and with whom can only hurt you.  Unless of course, it's a grand
> >> list of felonies that he was using to blackmail the participants.
>
> >> But I can't see gathering that much info from blackmail.  I always
> >> thought it involved one guy blackmailing one victim.  This would imply
> >> a factory scale process, and he'd need some way to lure his prey into
> >> the trap.
>
> >> Of course, that WOULD be a good way to get murdered.
> > This is him
> >http://img851.imageshack.us/i/4d93ac54b10bcimage.jpg/
>
> True indeed! , according to a story posted on March 30 on the
> website of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
> <http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/ad567e00-5b13-11e0-8ed4-0012...>
> .
>
> That web page has a link to a 1999 article on the discovery of the body:
> <http://www.stltoday.com/news/article_bcc02074-5b1a-11e0-b199-0017a4a7...> .
>
> An officer with the local Major Case Squad unit is quoted there. I quote
> from the 1999 story:
>
> << "We cannot find any motive for his death, " he said.
> "We're not absolutely sure that this is a homicide." >> .

What's the cause of death?

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#2457

Joe Snodgrass wrote:
> On Apr 1, 10:54 am, David Bernier<david...@videotron.ca>  wrote:
>> haha doh wrote:
>>> On Mar 31, 3:15 pm, Joe Snodgrass<joe.s...@yahoo.com>    wrote:
>>
>> [...]
>>
>>
>>
>>>> As to which crime was being committed, I'm going with numbers running
>>>> or loan sharking.  There's no reason for any crook to keep any record
>>>> of any other crime, except prostitution, where phone books come in
>>>> handy.
>>
>>>> Thievery is not an honest business, and records of what went down,
>>>> where and with whom can only hurt you.  Unless of course, it's a grand
>>>> list of felonies that he was using to blackmail the participants.
>>
>>>> But I can't see gathering that much info from blackmail.  I always
>>>> thought it involved one guy blackmailing one victim.  This would imply
>>>> a factory scale process, and he'd need some way to lure his prey into
>>>> the trap.
>>
>>>> Of course, that WOULD be a good way to get murdered.
>>> This is him
>>> http://img851.imageshack.us/i/4d93ac54b10bcimage.jpg/
>>
>> True indeed! , according to a story posted on March 30 on the
>> website of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
>> <http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/ad567e00-5b13-11e0-8ed4-0012...>
>> .
>>
>> That web page has a link to a 1999 article on the discovery of the body:
>> <http://www.stltoday.com/news/article_bcc02074-5b1a-11e0-b199-0017a4a7...>  .
>>
>> An officer with the local Major Case Squad unit is quoted there. I quote
>> from the 1999 story:
>>
>> <<  "We cannot find any motive for his death, " he said.
>> "We're not absolutely sure that this is a homicide.">>  .
>
> What's the cause of death?

 From one of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch articles (presumably the orig. source),
one learns that "Death appears to be caused by a blow to the head.",
this via "Austinstar" at hubpages.com :
< http://hubpages.com/hub/Cryptographic-clues > .

- Body identified through fingerprints (St. Louis Post-Dispatch).

- Ricky McCormick had a criminal conviction for statutory rape.
   (via n01h3r3 at boards.straightdope.com) :
   < http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=13642308 > .

- Ricky McCormick had one address in St. Louis, Missouri and
   others in Illinois (why?).

David

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#2485

On Apr 2, 10:45 am, David Bernier <david...@videotron.ca> wrote:
> Joe Snodgrass wrote:
> > On Apr 1, 10:54 am, David Bernier<david...@videotron.ca>  wrote:
> >> haha doh wrote:
> >>> On Mar 31, 3:15 pm, Joe Snodgrass<joe.s...@yahoo.com>    wrote:
>
> >> [...]
>
> >>>> As to which crime was being committed, I'm going with numbers running
> >>>> or loan sharking.  There's no reason for any crook to keep any record
> >>>> of any other crime, except prostitution, where phone books come in
> >>>> handy.
>
> >>>> Thievery is not an honest business, and records of what went down,
> >>>> where and with whom can only hurt you.  Unless of course, it's a grand
> >>>> list of felonies that he was using to blackmail the participants.
>
> >>>> But I can't see gathering that much info from blackmail.  I always
> >>>> thought it involved one guy blackmailing one victim.  This would imply
> >>>> a factory scale process, and he'd need some way to lure his prey into
> >>>> the trap.
>
> >>>> Of course, that WOULD be a good way to get murdered.
> >>> This is him
> >>>http://img851.imageshack.us/i/4d93ac54b10bcimage.jpg/
>
> >> True indeed! , according to a story posted on March 30 on the
> >> website of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
> >> <http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/ad567e00-5b13-11e0-8ed4-0012...>
> >> .
>
> >> That web page has a link to a 1999 article on the discovery of the body:
> >> <http://www.stltoday.com/news/article_bcc02074-5b1a-11e0-b199-0017a4a7...>  .
>
> >> An officer with the local Major Case Squad unit is quoted there. I quote
> >> from the 1999 story:
>
> >> <<  "We cannot find any motive for his death, " he said.
> >> "We're not absolutely sure that this is a homicide.">>  .
>
> > What's the cause of death?
>
>  From one of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch articles (presumably the orig. source),
> one learns that "Death appears to be caused by a blow to the head.",
> this via "Austinstar" at hubpages.com :
> <http://hubpages.com/hub/Cryptographic-clues> .
>
> - Body identified through fingerprints (St. Louis Post-Dispatch).
>
> - Ricky McCormick had a criminal conviction for statutory rape.
>    (via n01h3r3 at boards.straightdope.com) :
>    <http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=13642308> .

And the sheriff doesn't think that's homicide?

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#2498

"David Bernier" <david250@videotron.ca> wrote in message 
news:in7cs201hhp@news6.newsguy.com...
> Joe Snodgrass wrote:
>> On Apr 1, 10:54 am, David Bernier<david...@videotron.ca>  wrote:
>>> haha doh wrote:
>>>> On Mar 31, 3:15 pm, Joe Snodgrass<joe.s...@yahoo.com>    wrote:
>>>
>>> [...]
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>> As to which crime was being committed, I'm going with numbers running
>>>>> or loan sharking.  There's no reason for any crook to keep any record
>>>>> of any other crime, except prostitution, where phone books come in
>>>>> handy.
>>>
>>>>> Thievery is not an honest business, and records of what went down,
>>>>> where and with whom can only hurt you.  Unless of course, it's a grand
>>>>> list of felonies that he was using to blackmail the participants.
>>>
>>>>> But I can't see gathering that much info from blackmail.  I always
>>>>> thought it involved one guy blackmailing one victim.  This would imply
>>>>> a factory scale process, and he'd need some way to lure his prey into
>>>>> the trap.
>>>
>>>>> Of course, that WOULD be a good way to get murdered.
>>>> This is him
>>>> http://img851.imageshack.us/i/4d93ac54b10bcimage.jpg/
>>>
>>> True indeed! , according to a story posted on March 30 on the
>>> website of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
>>> <http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/ad567e00-5b13-11e0-8ed4-0012...>
>>> .
>>>
>>> That web page has a link to a 1999 article on the discovery of the body:
>>> <http://www.stltoday.com/news/article_bcc02074-5b1a-11e0-b199-0017a4a7...> 
>>> .
>>>
>>> An officer with the local Major Case Squad unit is quoted there. I quote
>>> from the 1999 story:
>>>
>>> <<  "We cannot find any motive for his death, " he said.
>>> "We're not absolutely sure that this is a homicide.">>  .
>>
>> What's the cause of death?
>
> From one of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch articles (presumably the orig. 
> source),
> one learns that "Death appears to be caused by a blow to the head.",
> this via "Austinstar" at hubpages.com :
> < http://hubpages.com/hub/Cryptographic-clues > .
>

Maybe a flying car hit him?

> - Body identified through fingerprints (St. Louis Post-Dispatch).
>
> - Ricky McCormick had a criminal conviction for statutory rape.
>   (via n01h3r3 at boards.straightdope.com) :
>   < http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=13642308 > .
>
> - Ricky McCormick had one address in St. Louis, Missouri and
>   others in Illinois (why?).
>
> David 

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#2343

On Wednesday 2011 March 30 13:56, Fons Adriaensen wrote:
> [LINK]  ???

http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/march/cryptanalysis_032911/image/gallery

-- 
I have seen the future and I am not in it.

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