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Police arrest suspect related to Denise's case

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An English translation:

Agents of the National Police have arrested an ndividual suspected in the disappearance of the pilgrim (Denise Thiem). Near the site of the arrest, bones were found, but the investigation has ruled out [for the time being] [that they are from] the body of Denise Picca Thiem.

Yesterday, security forces renewed the search for Asian American pilgrim Pikka Denise Thiem, 41, who disappeared in Astorga (León) last April 5 while walking solo the Camino de Santiago.

A large police force with aerial means, units of Judicial Police and Public Safety are among the forces, among them are specialists in the basement, along with members of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), [and they are] working on a map of key points identified to focus the investigation.

The last time Denise was seen was in Astorga, where, as she had said, she went to the town of El Ganso in a stage of the Camino de Santiago.

Researchers are working with different assumptions, although it is considered unlikely her disappearance was an accidental fall, because the pilgrimage route to Santiago includes no steep areas.

According to research, on the 6th of March, the pilgrimage [for Denise] began [for her] alone the Camino de Santiago from Pamplona. For nearly a month, Denise was doing the route and was taking different photographs of the places she visited and which she displayed in a private account in a social network.

According to this chronology, the last photo was taken on April 3 in a place unidentified, although she appeared in her account of the social network a day later.

Research has also clarified that the last time she took money from the ATM, 50 euros, was on April 1, while the last day she contacted a friend via internet was the 4th.
 
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last minute news: police arrest suspect in relation to the missing American pilgrim near Astorga last april. Not many details, a middle aged man, from Asturias, who was renting a house in Castrillo de los Polvazares at the time. Also, police are inspecting over 100 water wells in the area in search for any possible clue.

No more news so far...

of course, Ivar, please feel free to move this thread to whichever part of the page you might consider relevant!
 
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An English translation:

Agents of the National Police have arrested an ndividual suspected in the disappearance of the pilgrim (Denise Thiem). Near the site of the arrest, bones were found, but the investigation has ruled out [for the time being] [that they are from] the body of Denise Picca Thiem.

Yesterday, security forces renewed the search for Asian American pilgrim Pikka Denise Thiem, 41, who disappeared in Astorga (León) last April 5 while walking solo the Camino de Santiago.

A large police force with aerial means, units of Judicial Police and Public Safety are among the forces, among them are specialists in the basement, along with members of the Military Emergency Unit (UME), [and they are] working on a map of key points identified to focus the investigation.

The last time Denise was seen was in Astorga, where, as she had said, she went to the town of El Ganso in a stage of the Camino de Santiago.

Researchers are working with different assumptions, although it is considered unlikely her disappearance was an accidental fall, because the pilgrimage route to Santiago includes no steep areas.

According to research, on the 6th of March, the pilgrimage [for Denise] began [for her] alone the Camino de Santiago from Pamplona. For nearly a month, Denise was doing the route and was taking different photographs of the places she visited and which she displayed in a private account in a social network.

According to this chronology, the last photo was taken on April 3 in a place unidentified, although she appeared in her account of the social network a day later.

Research has also clarified that the last time she took money from the ATM, 50 euros, was on April 1, while the last day she contacted a friend via internet was the 4th.

Thank you @CaminoDebrita
 
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While various news publications have not named the suspect this article does. The name Miguel had been referenced in previous reports of harassment. This report has included an photo of the suspect that was arrested.

....

Miguel Ángel MB, the detainee by the disappearance of Denise Thiem, American pilgrim to the track was lost in April in Leon, he was the owner of one of the areas in which researchers looked at the woman. The he arrested lived in the village of Castrillo de los Polvazares, in the municipality of Astorga, in a wooden house on the outskirts, almost in the mountains, between the town and Santa Catalina. In the area of American track he was lost and was where jobs were focusing search in recent days. In fact, the police believe that the detainee was escondienco to see that the fence about it shut.

Miguel Ángel was known in the area for staging some altercations. His neighbors considered problematic and blamed him for making small thefts and cause damage to various farms. Point even could have harassed other pilgrims, but were not too relevant incidents.

A spokesman for Pilgrim hostel Castrillo explained that the suspect is not natural but the people came to him three years ago, so it has no roots in the area. The neighbor says not surprised by his arrest because, as has been well reported, the police had clues about it, since years "left to the pilgrims who passed through here and say the insult. A person who lives there in Mount that way makes me think also that it says it has very bad temper ".

Single, 39, no children, no driving license, moved by the environment by bicycle. Proof of their conflict, is the recently starred altercation with a family.After arguing with him for a property, he cut the trees on his farm.

http://www.elcomercio.es/sociedad/s...o-asturias-dueno-terrenos-20150911194614.html
 
I read reports that the current operation involving 300 personnel is on hold. I understand why.

According to this article, the suspect that was arrested has confessed to the crimes and is prepared to lead the police to the body of Denise is.


A detainee in Asturias by the disappearance of an American pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago
The arrested, aged 39, has confessed that he knows where the body of the pilgrim, who disappeared in April
Efe - Ep 09.11.2015 | 20:27
1441994870473.jpg

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A detainee in Asturias by the disappearance of an American pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago Video: LNE


National Police agents have arrested Friday in the Asturian town of Grandas, near the border with Lugo, a man in connection with thedisappearance of Denise Thiem, American peregrine disappeared last April in the environment Astorga (León) while I was doing the Camino de Santiago, Europa Press reported police sources.

Sources have indicated that the detainee is Michelangelo MB, 39, and after being arrested in Great Salime in the southwest of Asturias, has confessed that he knows where the body of the pilgrim is.

The detainee is a resident of the village of Castrillo de los Polvazares (León), in the municipality of Astorga, and, according to neighborhood sources, lives outside in a wooden house almost in the mountains, between the town and Santa Catalina.

In this regard, a spokeswoman for the Pilgrims Hostel Castrillo, told Europa Press, explained that the suspect, who is not a native of Castrillo but come out about three years ago, lives alone and has in the estate with a garden and a well.

The neighbor says not surprised by his arrest because, as has been well reported, the police had clues about it since years "left to the pilgrims who passed through here and say the insult. A person who lives there in the Mount that way makes me think also that it says it has very bad temper ".

The detainee owns one of the areas in which researchers looked at the woman, to Europa Press sources of research. These same sources have stated that at the moment are to suspend work search had resumed this week to continue them in the presence of the arrested as one of the areas where it is sought is yours. Police believe that the arrested, a man of middle age, can facilitate the work of search agents.

Those involved in the research believe that the detainee is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Denise Thiem, who missed the track last April in the vicinity of Astorga (León) while I was doing the Camino de Santiago.

According to police sources consulted, the police investigating the case suspected of involvement for months and even came to interview him as part of the investigation, but did not get to take a statement formally.

Researchers working with different assumptions, although considered unlikely an accidental fall, because the pilgrimage route to Santiago no steep areas.

The National Police in charge of the investigation, has made multiple inquiries and has taken statements from dozens of possible witnesses and the Civil Guard has tracked the area.

During the summer, Arizona Sen. John McCain sent a letter to the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, which offered the cooperation of the FBI to solve this case, especially if the research that followed pointed to a murder . According to research, the 6th of March, the pilgrimage began alone the Camino de Santiago from Pamplona.

For nearly a month, Denise was doing the route and its route could go through different pictures of the places he visited and hung in a private account in a social network.

According to this chronology, the last photo was taken on April 3 in a place unidentified, although he appeared in his account of the social network a day later.

Research has also clarified that the last time you took money from the ATM, 50 euros, was on April 1, while the last day I contacted a friend via internet was the 4th.

That evening, Denise showed his credential Pikka pilgrim hostel in San Javier, near the Cathedral of Astorga, as reflected in the record of this hostel for pilgrims.

The next day, Easter Sunday, breakfast in the cafeteria Gaudí, according to statements by several pilgrims lost their track in the church of Santa Marta, adjacent to the cathedral maragata.

According to his last message on the network, he planned to attend Mass and then undertake a stage of 14 kilometers to the town of El Ganso, as they had been told that he had "a decent hostel" was collected in his last message.

http://www.farodevigo.es/espana/2015/09/11/detenido-desaparicion-peregrina-astorga/1312058.html
 
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Today in the ASTORGA DIARY-DIGITAL:
New evidence has practically closed the circle around a single suspect. It is a local resident, who apparently lives alone, with psychiatric and behavioral problems that had led to problems with other neighbors. "He came to kill neighbors' dogs, poison and try to kill horses and discuss with people," they say. This newspaper has already the name and address of the suspect, but according to the source respects the 'off the record'.

The help of the FBI and the arrival of specialists of the National Police is motivated by the possible discovery of the body of the pilgrim, Denise Thiem, but scientific tests are necessary.
 
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My thoughts and best wishes go out to all members of the forum, for patience and good will as this investigation continues. My prayers and love go out to the family, who will hopefully feel some sense of closure although this outcome appears to be very sad.

This has been a terrible occurrence, and without getting to wordy about it, I will just say that I am relieved that we are getting some information. I feel a sense of relief, mingled with sadness for the family, and truly hope that the family will be able to bring Denise home.
 
My thoughts and best wishes go out to all members of the forum, for patience and good will as this investigation continues. My prayers and love go out to the family, who will hopefully feel some sense of closure although this outcome appears to be very sad.

This has been a terrible occurrence, and without getting to wordy about it, I will just say that I am relieved that we are getting some information. I feel a sense of relief, mingled with sadness for the family, and truly hope that the family will be able to bring Denise home.

same here, hoping Denise is brought back home
 
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My condolences to Denise's family. I have followed the news since Denise disappearance, praying for them and for her and thinking about them. I am so sad!
 
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The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
You once were lost, but now are found
We were blind, but now can see.
Amazing Grace...

Such devastating news today. I can't even imagine how crushing it is for Denise's family, but I can think that in their pain, they know they don't have to wonder any longer.
Rest in peace, Denise. I am glad you were able to fulfill your dream of walking the Camino; I wish with all my heart that you were still with us to be able to reach Santiago. You are another star now in the sky in the Milky Way, along the Camino route, watching over and keeping safe the other pilgrims on their journeys.
 
I've been thinking about Denise a lot as I prepare for my third Camino (leaving Australia on Thursday; walking Sunday 20/9 from SJPdP).
Is there any way one could "finish" Denise's Camino for her, and for her family?
...Deb
 
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@DebR It would be great if a Credential with Denise's name could be taken from SJPP to Santiago by one or more pilgrims and be issued a Compostela for her family. Maybe @ivar can make this happen.

It is possible to receive a compostela for someone who died while walking the camino (posthumously).
This can be arranged through the Pilgrims office in Santiago deC.
 
I am in touch with her brother. We need to give the family time to process all of this through first. These are all wonderful ideas, and in time, may be appropriate. For now, it's just all so painful and hard. In time, that suggestion would probably be a comfort, but we can't know for awhile. I am a combination of relieved and devastated, and I bet most on this forum feel that way too.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
I am in touch with her brother. We need to give the family time to process all of this through first. These are all wonderful ideas, and in time, may be appropriate. For now, it's just all so painful and hard. In time, that suggestion would probably be a comfort, but we can't know for awhile. I am a combination of relieved and devastated, and I bet most on this forum feel that way too.

Exactly . . .
 
@DebR It would be great if a Credential with Denise's name could be taken from SJPP to Santiago by one or more pilgrims and be issued a Compostela for her family. Maybe @ivar can make this happen.
That's exactly the kind of thing that was in my mind... I'm sure many will carry her to Santiago in their hearts and minds: I know I will.
 
This news is so heart breaking. My thoughts are with here family and friends. This is so sad .
God bless to all you wonderful people, Peter.
 
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So sad. Rest in peace Denise.
 
Every day that I walked I prayed that she would be found - one way or the other. Still it is so hard to learn that her body has likely been found. Prayers for the family and sad though the ending is, glad the mystery is solved.
 
No words......... Condolences, tears and prayers. R.I.P beautiful Denise.
 
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That's exactly the kind of thing that was in my mind... I'm sure many will carry her to Santiago in their hearts and minds: I know I will.

The family of Denise P. Thiem will be issuing a statement to Spanish media soon expressing its appreciation for the professionalism and determination of the Spanish National Police and for the many kindnesses shown it by the Spanish people in their prayers and heartfelt expressions of concern and love. If the body recovered is determined to be that of Denise, the family hopes to have her remains returned for proper burial at the earliest opportunity. That likely will take some days. In the interim, the family also wishes to thank those of you who have expressed kindnesses regarding Denise and empathy for their pain and suffering.

As some of you may know, Denise is first generation Chinese-American. Her parents sacrificed everything to enable Denise and her brother to achieve the so-called American dream. That was within Denise's grasp before this unfortunate turn of events.

I never had the opportunity to meet or know Denise, but if one is to judge a life by the quantity and quality of loyal and loving friends one has, then Denise lived a very fine life indeed. She was, by every indication, an extraordinary young woman -- elegant in spirit, bold in testing her inner-self, and always gracious and loving towards others.

With your understanding and consistent with the family's wishes , there will be no further comment. As you can imagine, after five months of agony and sleepless nights, they are exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. Please respect their privacy.
 
I will not hit the "like" button as my heart breaks at the tragedy! I echo the above sentiment, "may her family find peace"
I cant hit the "like" button also. But so relieved that they have found her. Blessing to her family.
 
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We too had still hoped that she would be found alive. So very sad.
 
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