What Happened To Meghan Landowski?
UPDATE 10/24/08 - Police have arrested 17-year-old Robert Lee Barnes (Myspace) and charged him with killing Meghan Landowski. He was arrested last night after being interviewed by detectives at Portsmouth police headquarters. He has been charged with first-degree murder.
Portsmouth, VA (April 11, 2008) - Something happened to Meghan Landowski on Thursday, but police aren’t sure what. The 16-year-old sophomore at Portsmouth’s Woodrow Wilson High was seen at school yesterday, but asked at least one friend if she could go to the friend’s house after school. That was odd, said the girl, because usually Meghan wanted her friends to walk home with her, not the other way around.
At about 4:00 p.m. , Meghan’s stepfather arrived home and found Meghan’s body. He called police at 4:09. A neighbor says he watched the stepfather pull in, and that moments later, “there were police cars all over.†Police aren’t releasing the cause of death at this time, but have said that Meghan Landowski was found dead in her home, and that she was murdered.
Police staked out one Portsmouth home for part of Thursday evening. One person identified only as “a witness” spent several hours being questioned Thursday night, but left “on his own” and was never in custody, police say.
Meghan lived in a two-story gray Cape Cod-style home in the city’s Simonsdale section with her mother, her stepfather, and her sister. Her Myspace page is covered in hearts and has pictures of a sweet-looking girl with her little sister, her mother, and her pets. It’s the kind of page parents could see and think, “What a sweet girl.”
With no cause of death yet and no clear suspect, police are going to be busy while Meghan’s family and friends mourn. I’ll update with new information as it becomes available.
UPDATE 5/12/08 - A person of interest is being investigated in the murder of Meghan Landowski. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Robert Allen Hicke was questioned by police in the hours after Meghan’s death on April 10. Authorities have now found child pornography on Hicke’s computer, and police documents say that there has been a “prior NCIS investigation involving both LTJG Hicke and the victim.”
I’ll continue to update as more information comes in.
UPDATE 10/24/08 - It now appears that LTJG Hicke is off the hook. It is alleged that Robert Barnes, 16 at the time of the crime, climbed through a bedroom window of the Landowski home. The Churchland High School student then bound Meghan and then stabbed her repeatedly before fleeing on foot. It was also revealed that blood was found at the scene that did not belong to Meghan. He is currently being held without bond in juvenile custody. Prosecutors want him charged as an adult.
I’m sure that the person who claims they “no” Robert is a teenager who likes to type in short hand. Many teenagers do it. It doesn’t mean they don’t know the correct way to spell. Also, that is just one person. Churchland is filled with many people. Just because one person said “no” instead of “know” doesn’t mean the school did poorly in English.
Robert Barnes is innocent until proven guilty. That’s how our system works. There is plenty you don’t know about what happened. I’m not saying I know everything about it, but you can’t just say that he did it because he was arrested for it. There have been other people that have been suspects, too. Does that mean that they all did it too?
Robert is smart, but he’s just a high school student. I think we all know interrogators flip things around and trick people into saying things they don’t really mean. Robert did not confess to killing Meghan.
You don’t know what happened; you were not there. None of us really knows for sure what happened. I’m sick of people who don’t even know any of these people saying he’s definitely guilty because of what you read or heard. A lot of news channels and websites are pretty much just telling you that Robert Barnes killed Meghan Landowski. There’s another side of the story other than Robert climbed through her window, tied her up, and stabbed her.
Okay, so your own comment stated that the magnet portion of the school did not do well in English which led me to say that the school did not do well in English since the magnet part of the school is the smartest part.
Yes, that is how the Judicial system works, innocent until proven guilty but you came onto a site that puts people down and calls them names because of the criminal actions that they took to be in the position they are in. That is how this site works, we talk shit about the criminals while people who think the person they knew in high school come to protect them although it hardly ever turns out good for the people that do the latter.
Although, we should believe in the system, we do not because of how shitty something come out. Yes, I have read the reports about the white man in a mask being in the room while Meghan was tied up and Robert climbed into the bedroom window and how he cut Meghan up and how he cut Robert’s hand and held it over her body. Funny how it’s a white man, funny how Robert had 6 months to come forward with this but did not. Just went about his life like nothing ever happened. And yes, I do know he is a kid in highschool but when I was in middle school, I was in trouble with police. Yes, they do try to get you to say what they want but I didn’t. I knew I didn’t do what they were accusing me of. Turns out there was another girl by the same first name as mine and they though I was her. I didn’t let them get to me because I knew what the truth was. I was 13 when this happened. Now, he’s 17, seems to be a very well raised young black man has everything going for him and seems to know what right from wrong is. He was interviewed by the police and was charged for burglary and murder. There must have been something he said when he was in the interrogatory room that led them to charge him with burglary and murder. There is no way around that. Although, they state they do not have a confession, they have enough to charge him with the above. Although there may be a motive established, they may not have released it because this case is in the juvenile court system and not the criminal. More hush hush is put on the case because of that. Unless if he is charged as an adult with this crime, we may never find out the motive. With that being said, there is nothing wrong with believing he is innocent, just that I really don’t think he is. And I will still point and laugh when he is found guilty by our lovely court system
I just have to say…
I went to Churchland. I am ashamed of the kids going into that school, not so much the teachers that are teaching in the high school. (I know thats harsh but keep reading) I graduated… 6 years ago… and I still go back and talk to a few of them. So they are very involved and try ot teach the packs of wild animals that get pushed into their classes, but the damage is already done. A kid in my class was acctually adopted by a teacher because his family abandoned him when he was only 16. Its rediculous what the kids in this area are being exposed to and have to go through. My daughter will never go to churchland and for that matter any school around this area. Sorry to say it but the kids are just surrounded by so much at such a young age that I feel like she could get so much more and go so much further then I did if she was somewhere better… though I dont know if its like this everywhere, I just cant see putting her through the hell of these school systems. Hearing the things that are going on now, they are 20 times worse then when I was there.
So yea I am sure I will get some of the young people that just graduated, or are attending churchland currently, mad about the comments that I have made but once you get out of that hell and go on to something better, that you will meet people from other areas of the state/country and when you hear about how they grew up I hope you feel as if you’ve been cheated and that you do something about it to make your life better. Or atleast move away once you have kids so that they will not be subjected to all this.
As I’m sure you’re aware, the phrase, “innocent until proven guilty” refers to the government’s interaction with suspects. Those of us not involved in this case or, especially, criminal justice in general, are free to judge until the cows come home. Rest assured, however, that if this young man is found not guilty, this article will be updated to reflect that information.
Unfortunately for the defenders of the accused, that’s only happened a couple of times, here at DD.
Also, while there may have been other persons of interest or even suspects, none were arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Really, that speaks volumes. Yes, the justice system screws innocent people often enough to take note, but far from commonplace.
One last point - This is not a cell phone. If a teenager comes here and speaks in shorthand, we will rightfully assume it is due to a lack of English comprehension. We’re not fascists - we won’t harp on every last typo or point out missing commas. We simply ask that people take a little responsibility for the way they present themselves. If you want to be regarded as a thinking, educated individual…write like one.
I said that some people in magnet didn’t do too well in English. I did not say that people in magnet didn’t do well in English. Thanks for twisting my words. It’s like that in any class or program. Some students will do well in some subjects and not do so well in others. It’s just how things are…anywhere.
And I went to Churchland and graduated a couple of years ago. Before I went to Churchland, I lived in California. People at Churchland just don’t know how good they have it. They think they’re ghetto and whatnot, but they just say that because it’s what’s “cool” right now. They haven’t been out into the real world to know what ghetto really is. I lived in California and the schools I went to in California were worse off than Churchland by a long run. And I have met people out of the area. Sure, Churchland isn’t the best school, but it’s far from the worst. People always just have this thing where they think their school is bad. I’ve seen that pretty much everywhere.
Even if Robert is found guilty, that doesn’t always mean that he is. There are innocent people who get put away all the time.
Also, I think there are plenty of other things you can do rather than just going to some website and joke on people who have real life problems and have their whole lives at stake. Maybe you should just get your own lives instead of making fun of the people who have had misfortunes in theirs.
THAT’S THE POINT OF THIS WEBSITE.
Ok. But every single site it have been on regarding this case states that he was in the room and his hand was cut. Every supporter states that this is the way it happened. To me, he is not innocent because he could’ve called after the fact. To me, he could’ve have saved her life but he didn’t. He ran like a coward. HE could’ve called the police once the real perpetrator took off but he did not. Now, 6 months later, this is his excuse. That’s what irks me about this. Every person says he didn’t do it and how they believe it happened and how someone else was in the room. 6 FUCKING MONTHS!!!! Who in their right mind would wait that long. I wouldn’t. Actually, I would if I was the one who committed the crime.
limegreentoaster, Google does some amazing things when you use the right words. And really, you should be the one getting a life. You are really devoted to protecting Robert.
KK-You shouldn’t say that you’re ashamed of all the kids at Churchland. It’s not every child. As you know every school has it’s share of problems. I hope that you don’t have to send your child to Portsmouth Public if that’s not what you want. But you should remember that the teachers CAN NOT do it without the support of the parents. If parents would stay more involved with their child’s school affairs then maybe public schools would be different.
Robert Barnes friend-You’re right everyone is innocent until proven guilty BUT the story his family is spreading makes NO SENSE!!!! Meghan Landowski was loved by many and if your friend did it I hope that he gets everything that he deserves. That goes for whoever did it!
The reason none of the other suspects were arrested is because they had alibies. Unfortunatly for your friend he took things from Meghan’s house that were found in his room. Got any answers for that? I know maybe the masked WHITE man that made him cut himself with the murder weapon also snuck in his room and placed the stuff there to frame him.
From all the other crap that I’ve read related to the case, the cops are really racists in this town and supposedly planted the evidence in his room. The other crap that’s being said is that the reason the family moved to Mississippi is because they had something to do with it. People think it’s suspicious that the family moved that far. I for one do not. I would not want to stay in a town that knows what happened to my daughter. I wouldn’t want someone feeling sympathy for me every time i turn the corner or go into a store. I would become tired of walking by my daughter’s bedroom and seeing the window the perpetrator came through, of remember how I found her tied up and dead. It would drive me to kill myself because I wasn’t there to protect my daughter. These so called people looking for justice for Meghan are not. Some one has been located. Some one has been arrested. Some one has been charged with her murder. And yet they are still looking for justice for her because they believe he did not do it. I’ve read that he is an arrogant little prick just because he has played with Missy Elliot and thinks he is better than everyone else. I have seen his other myspace and I did not find that “funny” rape suspect picture anywhere on it. So to me, they have the right person. It’s just a matter of time before it all comes spilling out about “yeah, he did do that one thing that made it seem like he was crazy but we thought it was just him being funny” type of stuff. So, keep on believing your friend didn’t do it.
And then there are people who get put away thanks to definitive evidence. I feel like this will be one of those. I interned for a public defense attorney. I know all about the injustice associated with the justice system. But, when people are wrongly convicted, it’s usually a matter of inaccurate witness testamony or circumstantial evidence. It sounds like, in this case, they’ve got some physical evidence. Physical evidence RARELY leads to wrongful convictions.
There ARE plenty of other things to do. I moderate the politics forum, here. I’m employed as a Quality Administrator and lean manufacturing specialist for a packaging company. I’m a big UFC fan and I either throw or attend UFC parties whenever a PPV event is on. I’m a horror fan who collects memorabilia. I’m throwing a Halloween party tomorrow. Roughly 50 people are expected to show. I’m reading The Conservative Mind, currently. My boyfriend and I have been together for 9 years, living together for 7 1/2. Clearly, I have a life. It’s actually a very rich, interesting, comfortable life.
Now, the problem with your statement is that, we don’t typically joke about those who have encountered misfortune. Meghan encountered misfortune - see any jokes about her in this thread? Robert appears to have dealt that misfortune. That’s why we get to take shots. Now, if for some reason we’re wrong, we’ll take back everything that we said. But something tells me we won’t be. We’re almost never wrong.
Ya! So take that…
True, but you should wait until all the evidence is presented, and then pick a side. There are many crimes committed by seemingly ‘normal’ people, who’s friends and family never saw it coming. It’s hard to imagine someone you thought was ‘nice’, doing something horrible. But many ‘nice’ husbands, wives, coworkers, and friends, are on the news everyday for doing terrible things.
People close to them don’t want to believe it, because they think it somehow makes themselves look bad. They think they should have known the person was unbalanced, or sick. But many criminals are very good at fooling people, look at Scott Peterson! I know you don’t want to believe your friend is guilty, I don’t blame you. But at the same time, please brace yourself for the possibility that he is.
I have lived in Portsmouth for almost 30 years. How could a town that has had a black mayor in power for most of that time be ran by racist cops. The only time that I’ve ever heard that is when a “Race Card” is being played. If the police were going plant evidence on anyone it would’ve been the bastard Navy Lt. that molested her.
As far as Chris and Angie Shortt go, they moved to Mississippi because Angie could not bear the thought of living in the home where their beautiful daughter was attacked, bound, and let to lay in her blood. Anyone who has children would understand that.
It’s true that Robert Barnes is innocent until proven guilty. I understand that his friends and family don’t want to believe it. I’m still in shock that a child could’ve done it. The evidence will tell and I can’t wait to see it presented. I will be in that court room, so that the killer can see my tears along with all of the others who love Meghan. I for one will continue to pray for justice and accuracy. I only want the RIGHT man punished!
See, that’s what i meant to say. that people are saying the cops are racists in the town. I think that’s a load of BS. I think it came out a little funny the way i wrote it. and i think it’s crap that they’d attack the parents for moving. like i said earlier, it would kill me to walk by the room my daughter was murdered in. And, please, PTOWNGIRL79, keep us informed on what’s going on in the court room. It would be greatly appreciated.
There was a article in the virginia pilot today that told alot more about the crime. He will be charged as an adult, of course. They told about when they interviewed him before charging him and told that at her house there were bloody foot steps all over the place, to the kitchen sink and back and the prints were nike air shoe. Doesnt that sound like a young guy that cant figure out what to do, not like some old guy who elaborately called him over and set him up and had it all planned out.
Yeah. I was on the edge of my seat on Wednesday. Of course, we might still have the nay sayers come on here and say, well, anyone can own a pair of nike air ones. I really hate his mug shot. He has a smirk on his face. I am happy he’s being charged as an adult. Every thing is falling into place. From the fact that even though he did not have an attorney he did have his mother there during the questioning and that they left 2 times in the 6 hours they were there. All this BS that he didn’t know and he was by himself has been proven to be a complete and total lie told by Robert. So I say fuck him. He deserves it. He left a girl to die tied up and alone, unable to even scream for help.