MO CASSIDY RAINWATER: Missing from Lebanon, MO - July 2021 - Age 33 *Found Deceased*

Woman missing for months as cannibalism rumors swirl; image of partially nude caged woman found

Court documents said investigators found photos on one arrested man’s cellphone showing a woman partially nude and in a cage.

www.cbs17.com

Woman missing for months as cannibalism rumors swirl; image of partially nude caged woman found​

As bizarre rumors of cannibalistic behavior and multiple murder victims flooded social media Saturday, authorities had confirmed little about a missing woman and two suspects now under arrest in South Central Missouri.

Federal authorities ramped up their search for 33-year-old Cassidy Rainwater. Investigators said two men held Rainwater in a cage on Moon Valley Road near Lebanon.

Federal investigators said no one has seen Cassidy Rainwater since July.

Someone reported her missing on Aug. 25.

Two weeks ago, FBI investigators from Kansas City got an anonymous tip that someone was holding Rainwater in a cage on some property near Lebanon. Authorities arrested Timothy Norton and James Phelps.

Prosecutors charged the two men with felony kidnapping. Court documents said investigators found photos on Phelps’ cellphone showing a woman partially nude and in a cage.

Investigators said Norton admitted he helped Phelps to restrain Rainwater.

Beyond the photos, investigators had not disclosed what they found on the Phelps property. Hostetler briefly spoke with Phelps just one time during the past year as his neighbor and heard the rumors of cannibalism.


Cassidy Rainwater is still missing. Anyone who knows where she is should contact their local law enforcement agency.


MEDIA - CASSIDY RAINWATER: Missing from Lebanon, MO since July 2021 - Age 33

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

More than one incendiary device found at the burned home of Dallas County kidnapping suspect

The Springfield Fire Department bomb squad discovered two devices on James Phelps' property, both of which appeared to be attached to a tripwire

www.news-leader.com

More than one incendiary device found at the burned home of Dallas County kidnapping suspect​

New details have been released about last week’s fire at the home of Dallas County kidnapping suspect James Phelps, thanks to a report from the Springfield Fire Department.


The Dallas County Sheriff's Office told media on scene that a suspicious device and a possible tripwire had been found while crews were responding to the fire, so the Springfield Fire Department's bomb squad was called in to help.

An initial report obtained by the News-Leader from the Springfield Fire Department says the bomb squad discovered two devices on Phelps' property after arriving at the scene of the fire, both of which appeared to be attached to a tripwire. Initially, law enforcement had said there was only one device, which was detonated at the scene.

According to the report, the devices were made out of mortar tubes as well as balloons and coiled fuses.

At the scene of the fire — which happened a day before Phelps and his co-defendant Timothy Norton had a court appearance — the Dallas County Sheriff's Office told Springfield TV station KOLR10 that the flames resulted in a total loss of Phelps' home.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Missouri Department of Fire Safety, which could not be reached for comment by press time.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Missouri fire officials classify fire where James Phelps lived as arson

DALLAS COUNTY, Mo.- A Missouri State Fire Marshal report has classified the fire at the property where Cassidy Rainwater allegedly was kidnapped as arson. According to the incident report, the inci…

www.ozarksfirst.com

Missouri fire officials classify fire where James Phelps lived as arson​

A Missouri State Fire Marshal report has classified the fire at the property where Cassidy Rainwater allegedly was kidnapped as arson.

According to the incident report, the incident is labeled as second-degree arson. The report also says around $40,000 was lost from the fire, and the classification is undetermined and criminal.

 

[GrandmaBear]

So bring on the arrest then right? I mean this was a major crime scene with evidence of a woman in a cage so I am sure if not watched 24/7 it was watched somewhat closely and an arrest should be coming in short order... Lord forbid the perp is trip wiring another place and planting explosives...

 

[kdg411]

So bring on the arrest then right? I mean this was a major crime scene with evidence of a woman in a cage so I am sure if not watched 24/7 it was watched somewhat closely and an arrest should be coming in short order... Lord forbid the perp is trip wiring another place and planting explosives...

With the 2 'prime' POI's behind bars who would have done this though?

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

With the 2 'prime' POI's behind bars who would have done this though?

At the top of my list would be any of the other sex offenders who have ever had their address listed as this location.
Next on my list, but harder to figure out, would be anyone else who may have lived at or frequented this address without having to register their address (non RSO).

 

[Cousin Dupree]

At the top of my list would be any of the other sex offenders who have ever had their address listed as this location.
Next on my list, but harder to figure out, would be anyone else who may have lived at or frequented this address without having to register their address (non RSO).

Or an RSO who never reported.

 

[GrandmaBear]

With the 2 'prime' POI's behind bars who would have done this though?

That's the question isn't it... Apparently they don't have everyone behind bars...

 

[Guess Who]

That's the question isn't it... Apparently they don't have everyone behind bars...

Plenty of other family and friends on the outside, most likely. I think I would be looking into any visitors they had or people they called while in jail.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Plenty of other family and friends on the outside, most likely. I think I would be looking into any visitors they had or people they called while in jail.

Yeah. Whoever it is has their own motive or really thinks a lot of one of the ones behind bars to risk a prison sentence for them.

 

[Guess Who]

Yeah. Whoever it is has their own motive or really thinks a lot of one of the ones behind bars to risk a prison sentence for them.

I also wonder if they have family/friends connected to LE in some fashion. It seems lots of people are claiming they have been up to no good for a long time and allowed to run amuck without worries.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I also wonder if they have family/friends connected to LE in some fashion. It seems lots of people are claiming they have been up to no good for a long time and allowed to run amuck without worries.

A person always has to wonder when something so big goes on for so long just who knows and is turning a blind eye to it... Or worse even is involved... It's probably a good thing it was the Feds that got the picture...

It's like in some small areas where EVERYONE knows who the biggest local drug dealer is and all whisper about it and LE knows but they do nothing... Or in fact some are friends with him or his family... One then has to wonder hmm...

 

[Cousin Dupree]

I think this may be a large human trafficking operation that is in desperately trying to destroy it's tracks. I believe, if they can, they'll find something really big here.

I'm guessing there was a lot of DNA evidence that needed to be erased from existence and a fire was the only thing that would do the trick. Hopefully one or both of these guys will flip for a better deal and bring the whole thing down.

As for why nobody near there said anything it was either they were relatives of those involved or scared as to say anything and just pretend they didn't see anything suspicious going on.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I think this may be a large human trafficking operation that is in desperately trying to destroy it's tracks. I believe, if they can, they'll find something really big here.

I'm guessing there was a lot of DNA evidence that needed to be erased from existence and a fire was the only thing that would do the trick. Hopefully one or both of these guys will flip for a better deal and bring the whole thing down.

As for why nobody near there said anything it was either they were relatives of those involved or scared as to say anything and just pretend they didn't see anything suspicious going on.

I think there is definitely something bigger going on... The confusion is though that apparently the scene was "cleared" was it not, and evidence theroretically I assume collected, so what evidence are they burning...?

Just the fact sex offenders registered this as an address is a red flag and huge imo. The fact there is evidence she was in a cage and the dark web I believe was involved (photo) is a major flag and more.

There are many rumors swirling around this case and LE is trying to tamp them down BUT it seems very likely something far bigger was going on...

As you say maybe major trafficking... Maybe serial killing... Maybe serial rape and more victims... Maybe many perps... Sex offenders, the two arrested and more...

OR is someone big or in power connected/involved as well... Whether a participant or turning a blind eye, etc...

 

[Cousin Dupree]

I think there is definitely something bigger going on... The confusion is though that apparently the scene was "cleared" was it not, and evidence theroretically I assume collected, so what evidence are they burning...?

Just the fact sex offenders registered this as an address is a red flag and huge imo. The fact there is evidence she was in a cage and the dark web I believe was involved (photo) is a major flag and more.

There are many rumors swirling around this case and LE is trying to tamp them down BUT it seems very likely something far bigger was going on...

As you say maybe major trafficking... Maybe serial killing... Maybe serial rape and more victims... Maybe many perps... Sex offenders, the two arrested and more...

OR is someone big or in power connected/involved as well... Whether a participant or turning a blind eye, etc...

Blood spatter on the walls and floors, hairs from victims, blood from women's periods on the floors that would contain DNA and other things the cops may have missed after clearing the site. Also, it's possible that a bunch of stuff was brought into the place from other places to destroy in the fire as well.

Just a thought.

 

[Guess Who]

Blood spatter on the walls and floors, hairs from victims, blood from women's periods on the floors that would contain DNA and other things the cops may have missed after clearing the site. Also, it's possible that a bunch of stuff was brought into the place from other places to destroy in the fire as well.

Just a thought.

and if somebody thought the investigation was getting too close to certain evidence.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Blood spatter on the walls and floors, hairs from victims, blood from women's periods on the floors that would contain DNA and other things the cops may have missed after clearing the site. Also, it's possible that a bunch of stuff was brought into the place from other places to destroy in the fire as well.

Just a thought.

I guess. It just seems to me that any perp couldn't know they already have collected such things... Just an odd case, that's for sure.

 

[Guess Who]

I guess. It just seems to me that any perp couldn't know they already have collected such things... Just an odd case, that's for sure.

they could if they have connections

 

[GrandmaBear]

they could if they have connections

Yeah, connections would explain a few things...

 

[kdg411]

A little tidbit about Cassidy

Missouri father of one of Cassidy Rainwater’s sons prepares for the worst

The father says the family is trying to shield their son from news surrounding Rainwater’s case.

www.komu.com

The attorney assigned to James Phelps filed a motion this week for a change of judge.

Phelps has been in jail since mid-September after being charged with first-degree kidnapping.

Phelps and his co-defendant Timothy Norton were expected to go in front of a judge for a preliminary hearing on Friday, November 5th.

Phelps and Norton’s cases are currently being heard by Dallas County Judge Lisa Henderson.

Earlier this month, Timothy Norton’s public defender filed a motion to have a judge consider setting a bond for possible release from jail, but the issue has not yet been placed on the docket.

New motions, hearings filed in Cassidy Rainwater case

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – New motions have been filed on behalf of one of two men accused of kidnapping and terrorizing a missing woman in Dallas County. Cassidy Rainwater has been missing sin…

www.ozarksfirst.com

 

[GrandmaBear]

Bond in a case like this or the way the case sounds? Good Lord. I hope not.

On a more general note, it never fails to amaze me that even though a defendant apparently is poor enough to qualify for a public defender, they want bond. Both things take money. Not saying that an attorney can't rack a bill up to very high figures in a serious kidnapping or murder case to defend a client but a case like this I would think is also likely to have a very high bond if one is set. A million maybe? $500,000 minimum?

I mean I guess what does the public defender care, he is going to be paid by the State not the defendant BUT the taxpayers, etc. should care... If someone else bails a defendant out it is one thing but if he can bail himself out, no way should he be qualifying for a public defender imo... Just a thought I sometimes have...

I wonder what their problem with the judge is. Female? Or some other reason.... Delay tactic... Risky, they might not like this judge but could end up with a worse one...