Glazier mystery focuses on killer

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April 13, 2008

By Chris Conrad

Mail Tribune

The investigation continues into the murder of Kaelin Rose Glazier, whose remains were found Tuesday in Ruch nearly 12 years after she went missing, and no arrests have been made.

Jackson County Sheriff's Office investigators are taking care to build a strong case against whomever might have killed the South Medford High School sophomore.

Glazier was last seen Nov. 6, 1996, walking from a friend's house on Haven Road, where she had spent the night, to Applegate Christian Fellowship, where she was going to meet her mother. She was only a couple of blocks from the church and just a block from her home.

"This case has become a top priority for us," said Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters. "We are going to give it our full attention until we bring it to a conclusion."

Investigators feel they have a suspect in 28-year-old Billy Frank Simmons, who was reportedly the last person to see Glazier alive.

Winters acknowledged that investigators consider Simmons a possible suspect, though he said they are keeping their options open.

"We are determined to follow every lead no matter where it takes us," Winters said.

A man working on his property in the area of Johnson and Haven roads reported finding what turned out to be Glazier's remains at 7 p.m. Tuesday. District Medical Examiner James Olson determined that Glazier had died from "homicidal violence."

It came as a surprise to many that the girl's body was resting all along in the area where massive search efforts were staged 12 years ago.

Dan Stumpff was one of the original band of searchers who in 1996 combed the area along with Oregon National Guard troops in hopes of finding Glazier.

"We searched a 50-mile radius for her," Stumpff said. "We were in blackberries over our heads. We searched ever ravine, we didn't care if it was 200 feet or 700 feet deep."

Searches often centered at Glazier's home in Ruch, extending out to Cantrall-Buckley Park, Woodrat Mountain and Forest Creek.

"We went all the way to Jacksonville and Sterling Creek," Stumpff said. "It was tough going at times, but you don't think of it that way. You just wanted to help the family find some kind of comfort."

Winters declined to comment on the specifics of those original searches, saying he did not want to release information that could compromise the case.

"I will be willing to discuss the first search efforts at a later date, but right now I want to focus on the investigation," Winters said.

Stumpff said he was glad to hear the family has come to peace now that Glazier may be laid to rest.

"I just think it is wonderful for the mother that she may have some closure," Stumpff said. "I was glad we tried to help back then. We did what we could do."

Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471; or e-mail cconrad@mailtribune.com.

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