The Murder of Vann Brown

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Life and Lemons

Vann Brown was senselessly murdered at the age of 39 while attending a wedding and reception on Dec 31, 2019/Jan 1, 2020. The event was held at 1200 Woodrow Harper Rd in Ambrose, GA, which is the home of Jeffrey Harper. The cause of death is said to be asphyxiation resulting from multiple blunt force trauma. You may ask yourself, how does a wedding reception end with a murder and you wouldn’t be alone asking such a question. Weddings are supposed to be blissful and full of smiles and laughter. This one, however, turned ugly with lots of anger, intoxication and murder.

Due to the current trials of this case, the information I’ve received from eyewitnesses won’t be on this post, either at all or in their entirety. I do not want to compromise the trials and am hopeful justice will be served. After verdicts are rendered I’ll do an additional post to include everything I have. Please understand that I just want justice for Vann and have no intention of dangling anything over anyone’s head. With that being said, let’s get to it!

Vann was attending the reception of Travis and Sara Heidenreich. At some point, after midnight, Vann was supposedly ordered to leave the event. Evidence during Justin Anderson’s trial, an interview video of Justin and GBI Agent Seacrist, shows Justin saying that Kelli Harper, Jeffrey’s wife, was yelling for people to get Vann off her property. He stated that she was accusing Vann of groping girls and even flirting with her. Justin claimed that he, Jason Anderson and Cam Coffee escorted Vann up the hill some 200 yards to his truck. Within a short amount of time, Jeffrey Harper and others were storming towards Vann. Cam Coffee testified that Vann argued back with Jeffrey Harper and Morgan Lewis about halfway to his truck. Coffee claims that when Vann reached his truck he cussed and was reaching for his gun. He then threw Vann to the ground, causing an injury to himself that rendered him unable to walk at the time.

Now, I have to throw my two cents in here! No one I’ve spoken with has mentioned Vann being inappropriate at all during that evening. In fact, most people have mentioned the lack of clothing worn by the young women, the way those women were acting and the amount of alcohol Jeffrey Harper and several other men had consumed since around noon that day. How much and which statements are true? Decide for yourself. Here are a couple of still shots taken from the wedding video that is posted on YouTube and a picture retrieved off social media.

Vann Brown looking confused, in my opinion. It’s almost like he’s being accused of something. The woman he’s looking at resembles Kelli Harper, but I don’t know that for sure.

A still shot from the wedding video on YouTube. Vann is talking to a gentleman that I was told is possibly JP Harper. Again, I’m not 100% sure who Vann is speaking with.

Another still shot from the wedding video. A few watch as he walks away. Why? I have no idea. It just struck me as odd.

And another still shot. The guy in the white ball cap seems to be talking with someone as Vann looks on. I was told the woman standing next to Vann is Kelli Harper, but I honestly don’t know for sure.

Ok, so let’s get back to Vann being on the ground. According to the testimony of Annsley Coffee, someone came to the reception tent saying someone had been shot, possibly Cam Coffee. Naturally, she took off toward the scene. She said, upon arriving, Vann was on his back with Jeffrey Harper sitting on his torso. She also stated that Justin Anderson was holding Vann’s left arm down and Jason Anderson was holding his right arm down. There were, to her, two unknown men holding down Vann’s legs. As she got closer to Vann, she ordered everyone off him. She pushed Jeffrey Harper out of the way and knew immediately that Vann was dead. She claimed his pupils were dilated, no pulse and was blue in color. There was blood all around his head and Matt Lewis was carrying a bent baton.

Two cents time again! I’ve got to be careful here because I’ve been told and shown a great deal that gives me a pretty narrowed down timeline of these events. And if it hasn’t been released publicly, I don’t want to risk anything delaying or sabotaging the trials. Everyone knows Vann was short. Most of the men that have been arrested tower over him. Vann never got his hands on a gun. Never! Previous testimony proves that and Daniel Anderson, supposedly, got Vann’s gun and put it in his truck. Law enforcement retrieved it from his truck that night. (EDIT: It has been brought to my attention that I made a mistake! No excuse for it. I should’ve double checked facts! There was a gun retrieved from Daniel’s truck, but Kelli Harper actually turned over Vann’s gun to law enforcement.)So, with NO WEAPON, the assumed intention to leave the property and his size…it took 5 men to hold Vann down, beat him and ultimately cause his death??? “Excessive” doesn’t even begin to describe this horrible crime. And the bent baton?? Vann had two wounds to the top of his head caused by the baton. Matt Lewis testified that Justin Anderson told him to get rid of the baton. He took it to the woods and hid it under some pine straw. The following day Matt told law enforcement about the baton and what he did with it. So again, it took all these men to do this and claiming they only acted because he had a gun, that he in fact NEVER HAD? I just don’t buy it. I can’t. There’s more to it. There’s rumors going around and I have to tell ya, a couple of them kinda add up.

Matt Lewis plead guilty for hiding the baton. Charges were dropped on Jay Turk, which I don’t agree with. Justin Anderson was found not guilty of murder and aggravated assault and guilty of making false statements and tampering with evidence. I don’t agree with that verdict either!

Above are the mugshots of those arrested initially. Now, 911 was called at 12:50am. It was too late. Vann had already succumbed to the brutal hell he was put through in that short span of time. I don’t have much that I can share about the time after law enforcement arrived on scene except there seems to be a chunk of time the accused had to themselves instead of being hauled in immediately. I don’t think this was handled 100% professionally due to Harper’s name, his money and that good ol’ boy system. I think some people were held there until around 5am or so, including Vann’s body. But I have to say, the new development and arrest of Joey Anderson, the father of Justin and Jason, has eased my worries some. Mr Anderson attempted to tamper with the jury in his son’s trial.

The wedding video. Feel free to watch and pause frequently during the reception to look at everyone. Some things look odd…

I believe Jason Anderson’s trial is set for July 31st and Jeffrey Harper’s is set for August 29. I honestly hope for justice for Vann and his friends and family. They’ve been through hell and deserve closure.

At the end of the day, I’m glad there have been arrests made and trials underway. I just still think there’s more to this than Vann being accused of flirting and told to leave, tempers flared and tragedy unfolded. I wonder if there was something beforehand that happened and caused hostility. I’ll be sure to add an additional post in the future. And remember, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I’ve made no remarks about who I think is responsible for anything. I just stated that it doesn’t add up to me, I don’t agree wholeheartedly with dropped charges and the last verdict and I don’t understand it taking that many men to subdue one individual.

Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to speak with me. I really appreciate your help and dedication to Vann and his family.

Timmothy Pitzen

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Life and Lemons

Timmothy Pitzen was born on October 18, 2004 in Aurora, Illinois. He was taken on May 11, 2011. James Pitzen, Timmothy’s father, dropped him off at Greenman Elementary School that morning. A short time later Amy Fry-Pitzen, his mother, checked him out claiming a family emergency. The mother/son duo went on a 3-day excursion visiting amusement parks and such. At the end of this spontaneous trip, Amy was found dead of self inflicted wounds with a note that would shock and confuse everyone.

Around 8:30 am on May 11, 2011 Amy checked her son out of school, explaining that there was a family emergency. That turned out to be false. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RNbiIFC4zX4. (Footage of Amy picking up Timmothy at school) She then dropped off her car at a mechanic shop around 10am. An employee of the shop took Amy and Timmothy to the Brookfield Zoo. She returned around 3pm to pick up her car. From there, the two went to the KeyLime Cove Resort in Gurnee.

On May 12 they were spotted on hotel surveillance at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AE_xviac6K0. (Hotel surveillance showing Amy and Timmothy) The pair were also seen on camera in a check-out line around 10am. The following day would be the last time Timmothy was seen.

On May 13, Amy called her mother and brother-in-law between 12-1:30pm. She explained that they were both safe and that no one should worry. Of course by now they have been reported missing by James Pitzen. It was speculated that the couple’s marriage was tense and maybe she was taking some time away. Her cellphone pinged northwest of Sterling, near Route 40 (about 130 miles from Wisconsin Dells). Timmothy was heard in the background saying that he was hungry. For some unknown reason, Amy never called James.

Here is where I noticed a worrisome time gap. Amy is seen on camera at 7:25pm, alone, at a Family Dollar in Winnebago buying paper, a pen and envelopes. The distance from Sterling to Winnebago is about 40 miles. She is then spotted at 8:00pm at Sullivan’s Food Store, also without Timmothy.

Around 11:15pm, she checks into the Rockford Inn at Rockford. On May 14, around 12:30pm, a hotel maid found Amy’s body. She had taken an excessive amount of antihistamine medication and slit her wrists and throat. She left a note apologizing for the mess she had made. The most shocking and confusing part of the note was her claim that Timmothy was safe with people who would care for him and that he would never be found.

This investigation is quite confusing. She traveled over 600 miles during this crazy trip and left little to go on. Her 2004 Ford Expedition gave small clues, but not enough to find little Timmothy.

Inside the SUV was a significant blood stain that matches Timmothy but it was not fresh. A family member told law enforcement that Timmothy had a bad nosebleed within the last month and that he had them frequently. The outside of the SUV revealed vegetation that held small clues. Police were lead to areas where Queen Anne’s lace and black mustard plants grew. They searched Whiteside County and Lee County, located in northwest Illinois, but came up empty handed.

Her cell phone was turned in to law enforcement in 2013 but was actually found in 2011 off route 78. The woman that found the phone kept it on a shelf for two years and eventually gave it to her brother. When he turned the phone on, he recognized the contacts in the phone as being in relation to the Pitzen case.

Amy had an I-PASS for tollbooth use. That account showed that she had made two separate trips, one in February and one in March, to the exact hotel she died in and the locations along the way of her final trip with her son. This information has lead law enforcement to believe she planned the whole thing.

Timmothy Pitzen with his father, James Pitzen

But what happened to Timmothy from the afternoon of the 12th to before 7pm on the 13th? What did she do? Who could she have left him with, if she really did that? Many theories have circulated in this case. Family and friends do not believe she would ever harm Timmothy. But then where is he? Timmothy’s father still holds tight to hope that he is alive somewhere. If you have any knowledge of his whereabouts, please contact the number at the bottom of the poster below. Let‘s bring Timmothy Pitzen home!

Conrad Roy III

Posted on January 27, 2020 by Life and Lemons

Tragedy struck the Roy family of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts on July 13, 2014. Lynn and Conrad Roy were facing one of every parent’s worst fears. Their son was missing. Then another fear became reality… their son was dead. Conrad Roy III had committed suicide.

Conrad Roy III graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School with a 3.88 GPA. He also earned his captain’s license from Northeast Maritime Institute. Roy had been accepted to Fitchburg State University and planned on attending with his best friend. He was an excellent, all-around athlete. He played football, baseball, rowed crew and ran track. He worked with his father, grandfather and uncle for Tucker-Roy Marine Towing and Salvage, Inc. It seems that he had everything going for him, right? It seems like the life of a normal teenager. So, what happened? What was hiding just under the surface?

There seems to be a bit of a troubled past dealing with depression and a hospitalization for an acetaminophen overdose in October of 2012, according to an article I found. This same article talks about the relevance of a domestic violence document dealing with Roy’s parents in 2011, before their divorce.

Conrad Roy III met Michelle Carter in Naples, Florida while on vacation in 2012. Their relationship consisted of text messages and phone calls. I’m a little confused about their relationship though. They lived about 35-40 miles apart and only met up in person a couple of times after they met on vacation. It seems odd to me. Michelle Carter, if I’m not mistaken, claims a 2 year relationship, but I’ve read quotes from Roy’s mother and best friend that they didn’t know her or know of an ongoing relationship. In my opinion, the relationship doesn’t add up. You’ve got Carter claiming a 2 year “relationship” and Roy’s best friend not knowing about her… hmmm. An article from the Boston Herald (https://www.bostonherald.com/2015/03/01/teens-family-girl-is-not-the-villain/) states that friends interviewed by police described Michelle as someone who “requires a lot of attention” and “has a history of being the ‘girl who cried wolf'”.

Let’s look at July 12, 2014, the day before his body was found. He spent the day with his family at the beach. An article on masslive.com states there have been two stories about that day at the beach. One story is that the day went fine and Roy spent quality time with family. He walked the beach with his mother discussing college and other future plans. Another story, given by Roy’s mother to New York Magazine, states that Roy was distracted and more interested in texting than speaking with her. It was discovered later that he had been texting Michelle Carter. According to those text messages, Carter was urging Roy to end his life. It appears that Roy had second thoughts about ending his life, but Carter just wouldn’t let it go. Texts from Carter state, “You said you were gonna do it. Like I don’t get why you aren’t. So I guess you aren’t going to do it then. All that for nothing.”. Here’s messages I found from deadstate.org (https://deadstate.org/here-are-the-disturbing-texts-from-michelle-carter-pressuring-her-boyfriend-to-commit-suicide/

Carter acted as if she was devastated about losing Conrad. She was so consumed by her grief and sadness that she enjoyed her prom and visited Disney World. (I promise I’m rolling my eyes so hard at the moment!) Anyway, as the investigation unraveled, it was brought to light Michelle’s role in Conrad’s suicide. Carter opted for a bench trial. A bench trial is when a judge, not a jury, would decide the punishment. She was convicted in 2017 of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 15 months with 5 years probation. She was just released, 3 months early, for her good behavior. One of the conditions in her release is that she cannot profit from her story.

My personal opinion about this case probably won’t mean much to most but I like adding my two cents worth anyway! Michelle Carter, in my opinion, is an attention-seeking monster. She met Conrad while they were both on vacation with their families and decided right then and there that she had found a “puppet”. She took the next two years, sending thousands and thousands of text messages, grooming him for his death. Conrad had dealt with depression in the past and did have a suicidal past…BUT he was doing better and making progress. Carter came along and seemed to enjoy pulling strings and calling the shots. The constant messages to Conrad demanding that he commit suicide and the “effort” to help his family find him afterward proves she’s evil as hell. She posted so many “sad” updates on social media and arranged little remembrance events for him…all the while knowing she was the one who convinced him to take his own life. Serving 12 months has taught her NOTHING, in my opinion. She’s going to go on with her life. She’s going to have all the experiences in her life that she stripped from Conrad. It’s completely ridiculous that her punishment wasn’t more severe. We have to have more consequences for crimes like this.

With that said, I implore anyone dealing with sadness and/or suicidal thoughts to seek help. Please talk to someone. Talk with a trusted friend and/or adult or call a hotline. There are resources available! You matter! Don’t let others make you feel “less than”.

National Suicide Hotline- 1-800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863

Text HELLO to 741741 for Crisis help

Click this link for hotlines for any and all situations- https://psychcentral.com/lib/common-hotline-phone-numbers/

Travis Eric Smith-aka Eric Waters

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Life and Lemons

Eric Smith, of Portal, GA, went missing on the evening of December 20, 2019. His best friend, Justin Smith, had dropped him off, according to one of Justin’s comments, at Tanner Lanier’s place of residence. That’s the last time Justin saw his best friend.

Justin Smith has searched relentlessly and set up community searches for Eric during this time. He has searched woods, creeks, dirt roads etc. He’s even had his life put in incredible danger. A couple of weekends after Eric’s disappearance, Justin and his wife were out looking for Eric when they passed Tanner Lanier’s house. They couldn’t have imagined the horrible events that would unfold at that time. Lanier decided to chase Justin and his wife down with his truck, ram their vehicle and fire shots at them. Lanier was arrested and released on bond. A few days later, Lanier was arrested again on multiple drug charges and again, let out on bond.

https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/man-questioned-missing-person-case-charged-aggravated-assault/

https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/mother-wants-answers-case-missing-son/

Ms. Frankie Waters was told her son was last seen around the area of Westside Rd and David Colley Rd. He was reportedly with another man and helping someone with a vehicle that had broken down. Ms. Waters says that BCSD (Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department) knows of audio recordings and screenshots of people discussing what actually happened to her son, Eric. ~~refer to article above

All updates and complete background will be added as I get them.

If you have information relating to Eric’s disappearance please don’t hesitate to call the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Department. 912-764-8888

https://www.facebook.com/Help-Bring-Eric-Home-105859224268682/

Justice for Jonathan Swierski

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Life and Lemons

Photo obtained from Dawn Swierski

July 6, 2019 marked the beginning of a dark and tragic rollercoaster for the Swierski family. They received the devastating news that their son, Jonathan, had been shot and killed.

Jonathan, age 20, is described by all as a loving son, loyal friend, great football player, protective big brother and hard worker. He was dedicated to the ROTC program and had plans to join the military. Jonathan worked with his father, Mr. Scott Swierski, daily. Mr. Swierski loved working side by side with his son and had plans of passing down his business to Jonathan one day.

Photo provided by Dawn Swierski

His mother, Mrs. Dawn Swierski, cherished every moment with her son. She still shared precious mother/son moments with Jonathan, like cutting his hair. She was very proud of the young man Jonathan had become and had high hopes for his future.

Photo provided by Dawn Swierski

Jonathan also had a special bond with his little sister, who he lovingly called his “baby girl”. He absolutely adored her and spent as much time as possible with her. He proved to be very protective of her and even wrote of her frequently in his journal at school.

Photo provided by Dawn Swierski

But everything changed on that dreadful night in July. Their lives were turned upside down and inside out.

On the night of July 6, 2019, Jonathan received a phone call from a friend saying that he was being threatened and a fight was about to happen. He asked Jonathan to come help. Being the loyal, loving friend he was, Jonathan immediately agreed to aid his friend. Jonathan explained the situation to his girlfriend, Lacey Horne, and two other buddies that were at his house at the time. All four decided to go help. Upon arriving at the Paces Pointe Apartment Complex, details get a little hazy.

Photo obtained from Fox 46 news report

According to Dawn Swierski, Jonathan spotted a guy at the playground of the complex. He exited the vehicle to approach the unknown man. As Jonathan was headed towards the playground, his girlfriend goes to the apartment of the friend that called for help. Jonathan’s friend that drove them there got out of the car with a loaded shotgun and a few extra shells in his pocket. (From here on he will be referred to as The Shooter)

Photo obtained by Fox 46 news report

As The Shooter approached the playground, Jonathan was already engaged in a fight with the unknown man. According to The Shooter’s 911 call, the stranger hit him and the gun went off.

Jonathan was shot at very close range in the chest. Law enforcement arrived on the scene and found Jonathan deceased.

North Carolina law states that pointing a gun and accidentally shooting someone is considered involuntary manslaughter. For reasons I don’t understand, Matthews PD declared Jonathan’s death an accident within a week or so even though the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide. The case was then turned over to the Mecklenburg County DA’s office.

The Swierski family felt a sense of hope in August 2019 when Brad Smith weighed in with his opinion. Smith, a Charlotte criminal defense attorney, reviewed the case and the 911 call. He stated, “There’s a large difference between what’s reckless and what’s an accidental act.”

Screenshot from Fox 46 interview

Getting hit again with gruesome news in September 2019 was hard on the Swierski family. The DA’s office made an announcement that no charges would be filed against The Shooter.

Dawn Swierski has reached out to several media outlets and such to get justice for her son. She has worked and fought so hard to bring this case to light. I stand with her in this fight! Bringing a loaded shotgun to a possible fist fight is absolutely reckless and irresponsible. If I’m not mistaken, the attorney, Mr. Smith, made a comment about the stranger on the playground hitting The Shooter could be charged too. And what about the so-called friend that called Jonathan over in the first place?? Instead of simply locking his apartment door or calling the police or perhaps handling his own battles…he called Jonathan. He didn’t, to my knowledge, leave his apartment to come help Jonathan. He was in his apartment avoiding all the mess while Jonathan was engaged in a fight and being shot. And what about other cases in North Carolina that ended in involuntary manslaughter? Why does this case get dismissed?

Clipping from Newspapers.com

Clipping from Newspapers.com

We will continue to fight for Jonathan. We will seek justice for this young man who was stripped from this world over reckless and irresponsible behavior.

Please show your support for Jonathan’s family on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforjonathan/?ref=share

Photo obtained from Dawn Swierski

President Trump vs. Chicago crime

Posted on January 26, 2017 by Life and Lemons

According to President Trump’s tweet (such a weird word, to me!), he is fed up with the rising crime rate of Chicago. He wrote, “If Chicago doesn’t fix the horrible ‘carnage’ going on, 228 shootings in 2017 with 42 killings (up 24% from 2016), I’ll send in the Feds!”

I have read comment after comment on social media and people are divided on this statement. Some are for the help and some against it. In my opinion, Chicago has been getting worse every year for while now. I’m not saying other cities aren’t bad, but they don’t call Chicago “CHIRAQ” for nothing! We are only 26 days into this year and already have over 40 killings there. That’s a damn shame!

As of today, according to heyjackass.com, 45 have been shot and killed, 219 shot and wounded, 264 total shot and 46 total homicides. Seriously?!? If Chicago cannot get its crime under control, why not have assistance? I know most are bringing up martial law and saying help would create a bigger mess. Chicago is already a huge mess. How about the National Guard? I’m not trying to promote violence on violence, believe me. But can you imagine what the citizens of Chicago must go through on a daily basis? I’m guessing many live in fear and wish life could be less threatening. And yes, you can bring up the fact that Chicago needs more jobs and such. You can bring up the fact of low- income. But I don’t see new jobs being able to become available until the killings stop. Business owners are already struggling and have been struggling for years. No one wants to be out and about in all that mess. It’s hard to build up a city that is constantly tearing itself down. What else should be done? Should Chicago be left alone to continue their war on each other? Should innocent children continue to be caught in the crossfire? I’m interested to read what you think on this matter.

Here is a video I came across of the lovely sounds of Chicago when the sun goes down.