Dan's mother, Sally Zamlen, has been investigating the case on her own and, in the hopes of setting the record straight, she has shared with me some of her alarming findings with me, such as:
- inconsistencies in statements made by those who last saw Dan
- cell phone records that do not match up with witness statements
- text messages deleted from the phone of witnesses
- physical evidence suggesting that Dan Zamlen was not overly intoxicated/incoherent
- reasons to believe Dan was not gay and having an identity crisis
- evidence that Dan had been thrown out of a bar in downtown Minneapolis the night before he disappeared and an attempted robbery had taken place
- medical examiner findings that point away from an accidental fall or jump into the river
- witness statements that Dan drank Vodka that "tasted bad" and that other partygoers had gotten unusually sick after drinking it; high levels of GHB in his body
From: Sally Zamlen [address not disclosed]
Subject: March 6 Tabloid/Slander article re Kevin Gannon
Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2010 13:32:30 -0600
CC: Sally Zamlen [address not disclosed]
To: rrosario@pioneerpress.com
Mr Rosario,
I am responding to your mud slinging article regarding "a sexual assault" during the investigation for my missing son, Dan Zamlen. It is my hope that you print this in its entirety & don't "pick & choose" statements only to further your trashy reporting.
I find it interesting that while this assault case was closed last summer, the St Paul PD found it necessary to call the the media the day after I spoke with St Paul Mayor Chris Coleman & once again pointed out the many opportunities his officers had to truly investigate my son's case - yet chose to do nothing. Similar to the "LEAK" made to WCCO on Feb 8, of my son's supposed issues with his sexuality & the statements by Anna Chappius & Sarah Nelson. These statements are their opinions - as I stated before "you can say anything about a dead man". I wonder why his "very concerned friends" felt the need to make this "information" the focus of the investigation, yet if this is true - they chose to do nothing while Dan was alive. I find it amazing that it's not enough that my son is dead, the media is now trying to assassinate his character. I have been warned that the more we press for the truth, the more vicious the reporting will become.
Since when is it Police Protocol to call the media & let them know when sexual assault cases are going to be available? I personally feel that the victim's rights have been violated, especially when there was no conviction. Perhaps these "leaks" only occur when PD performance is questioned?. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!
I find that type of reporting as well as your articles thoroughly disgusting - especially when there is an opportunity to report the FACTS.
I make the same challenge to you as I did to WCCO's Esme Murphy to actually sit down & read my son's case file & actually think about what you are reading. There are so many inconsistencies, holes & overlooked information it makes my stomach turn. Of course, then there are the FACTS. But why would the media be interested in that? Perhaps to save a life? No, sensational reporting is what brings in the big bucks.
The FACTS are that the statements of the friends Dan was with that night are NOT consistent.
FACT: Anna Chappius stated that Dan called her from his phone, Dan's phone records DO NOT indicate that he called Anna AT ALL after 11:30 pm.
FACT: Sarah Nelson stated that Dan had left her a voice mail AND she talked to Dan two times, once stating that he was by the river, but was not there anymore & another stating that Dan didn't want to live anymore. FACT: Dan's phone records INDICATE 1 (1 minute) phone call & 1 voice message.
FACT: Dan DID try to call /text Tim & Chad four times each, while "extremely intoxicated", waking down St Claire Ave in a "snowstorm". FACT: Dan's text messages were deleted from Chad's phone.
FACT: I have his last recorded voicemail, in which he stated to Sarah (the designated driver) that he was walking toward the river. Dan is coherent & only offered his location, NOT his mental status.
FACT: The search dogs found a "bodily fluid" belonging to Dan in the backseat of Anna's car. FACT: The PD DID NOT test this fluid or ask any questions about it.
FACT: The night before Dan went missing, he was with his "friends" at the 1st Ave Nite Club in Minneapolis. Dan was thrown out of the bar for wearing an incorrect wristband. He was separated from his friends & stated to his friends that he was approached by 5 men outside the club & asked for his wallet. Dan further stated to friends that he "ran" from these people. Sound familiar? Perhaps Dan was supposed to have his "tragic accident" on Friday night, but even though "extremely intoxicated" he was able to out run these people.
FACT: Two coroners determined that my son had NO injuries to suggest a "Fall or Jump" into the river.
FACT: the Ramsey Co ME could not determine 100% that Dan did in fact drown, only that he was found in water.
FACT: Significant elevated GHB levels were found in my son's liver. FACT: The RAMSEY CO ME called the GHB level irrelevant & refused to test the liver sample in their custody to determine if the GHB level had changed significantly between the first & second autopsies.
FACT: The St Paul PD "ruled out the River" on April 9. FACT: Cadavor dogs had four hits in the river & four bodies were found while Dan was missing.
FACT: Drowning victims usually surface six to ten days after drowning. FACT: The River was flowing 400 times faster than normal & was flowing four feet over the dam, yet Dan's body only traveled 2 miles & didn't surface for 27 days. FACT: Dan's insulin pod was still attached.
FACT: The St Paul PD have statements from four "underage party goers " that Dan drank "some vodka"- they don't know how much - before the party (& yes, they were drinking with him!). He then stated to a friend "he wasn't going to drink the vodka anymore - it tasted bad" - although GHB is a clear substance - not easily detected, it does have a "salty taste"! FACT: The PD never investigated where the vodka came from.
FACT: Statements from four friends state that Dan paid $5.00 for his cup to drink from the keg at the home of 21 year old, AUSTIN KANE.
FACT: Austin Kane told officers that he had overheard Dan saying he was going to the Rugby House (?). Four of his underage friends stated that they also purchased a cup & drank from the keg. One friend reported that he had become physically ill - vomiting at the party FOUR times - unusual for him "because he's drank way more than that & not gotten sick". FACT: Side effects of GHB are vomiting, confusion, loss of memory, passing out & death.
FACT: Andre & Chad both stated that Anna "publicly" kissed Dan, while dancing at the party. Chad stated that Dan was "happy" after Anna kissed him & Chad encouraged Dan to "go back to her", but Dan didn't. Anna did not include "the kiss" in her statement.
FACT: SGT PATRICK KANE supervised patrol officer Xue Vang when responding to the call from Anna Chappius at St Claire & Miss River Blvd. Anna reported that Dan called her & seemed in trouble & said he didn't want to live anymore. (Again, phone records do not reflect this). FACT: Sgt Patrick Kane did not return to the house party at the home of Austin Kane - to investigate the party.
FACT: Anna also stated that the last time she saw Dan was at 2300 hours (11 pm ?). Sarah Nelson reported that although Dan had been depressed in the past, lately he seemed happy about life. Sarah also stated that the last time she saw Dan was 1938 hrs (7:38 pm?) on 4/4/09. I guess they forgot they were at the party with him!
FACT: Friends don't remember seeing Dan after 2:20 am, but hurried (2 minutes by vehicle, 9 minutes walking) to the intersection. Original call to PD 2:57 am. So what happened between 2:20 am & 2:57 am? PD DID NOT try to find out.
FACT: Sarah Nelson stated that she was surprised when she suggested to Anna to call the police & Anna vehemently said NO.
FACT: There are seven (at least) different versions of what went on that night, made by the two designated drivers. Sarah, "Dan was extremely intoxicated, but we don't know how much he drank". Anna stated that Dan was "all over her" at the party. Sarah stated that Dan was "all over her" at the party. Anna, "When I last talked to Dan (although he had all of these issues) he seemed REALLY UPBEAT". "Things took a bad turn". "I saw him standing there & when I turned my car around, he was gone". He yelled 'Help Anna, where are you". Sarah stated that Dan told her he was by the river, but was not there anymore. FACT: A footprint thought to belong to Dan was found walking into the street.
FACT: THE IN-FIGHTING & MUD SLINGING between all of the people "dedicated" to finding the truth has to stop. It's appalling to think that anyone would try to sell newspapers, write books or get movie deals at the expense of these "tragic accidents". Yes, you can buy a copy of Dan's case file from the PD for $98.00.
Perhaps the energies of Kristie Piehl, Kevin Gannon & Nancy Sabin, Colleges & Universities, and the FBI should be shifted to investigating why the PD has so many "tragic accidents". How about educating students & parents - that being charged with "underage consumption" is the least of their worries when attending these parties. Oh, we don't want to scare anyone away from our college campuses. We will just put the blinders on & hope no one else has "an accident".
As for giving families FALSE HOPE - what's more hopeless than having SPPD Sr Commander tell you (April 28) that "your son was a very troubled young man, we'll find him when the river gives him up. We don 't have time to look for him, we have 100 missing person cases a week!" Why investigate an underage party, the GHB level, or the inconsistent statements when you have the opinion of two girls, who have known the victim for 6 months
31 comments:
Thank you for sharing that. I stand in total support of Sally Zamlen and her concerns. Thank you, Sally for being strong enough and brave enough to take on the powers that be.
I admit that there are many questions that need to be answered in this case, some of what Sally Zamlen writes is clearly bias toward conspiracy while overlooking the obvious answer. Take the vodka quote. Dan supposedly said it tasted bad. Duh! Vodka tastes horrible. I hate it. I know many people who do. However, the implication is that the vodka tastes horrible because it is drugged, even though GHB is tasteless.
Also, the letter is slanted toward proving Dan's heterosexuality. We really don't know what Dan's sexuality was. We only have the statements of his friends who claim that Dan was confused on whether or not he might be gay. The parents would be the LAST to find out about this stuff, especially if the person doesn't fit the stereotype of homosexuals.
About the bodily-fluid in Dan's friend's car...Is it just me or did the letter come off as this being sexual fluid? In all honesty there is nothing presented in the letter which makes me believe that it was bodily fluid. For all we know the dogs were picking up on his scent for having been recently in the car. We just don't know.
About the GHB. There is a lot of controversy. The coroner said the GHB level was in the normal range for decomp. However, Sally claims she has a private report that says the GHB level is high and needs further study. Sally needs to produce the report. That would settle the issue right then and there.
What really bugs me is that Sally Zamlen is implying that the sexual assault accusations are false or are meant to discredit Gannon, when in reality nobody knows the truth of that matter. For all we know the accusations could be true, it's just that one is innocent until proven guilty. We cannot simply act as if we know the truth. We have to put the accusations aside until when/if the investigation is reopened.
I feel so sad for Sally Zamlen's loss. I do feel there are questions that need to be answered and I believe the answers can be found at the party Zamlen attended the night he disappeared.
I thought the body fluid was probably vomit.
@ Mpls_Rain
To me it came across as being semen, as I interpreted it as meaning that her son was heterosexual and had engaged in sex with a femal in a car, thus he couldn't be gay.
If it was vomit, then it would have been noticable. Semen stains may be less aparant. Blood would be noticable as well. Urine would not be noticiable when it dries but the smell would be.
BITM,
If you read closely, Mrs. Zamlen said that reporting on Gannon's allegations was a violation of the young woman's rights, so I don't think she is implying the incident did not happen, only that the media should not be reporting on it when charges were not filed. This is actually not in the best interest of either party.
You're right, we don't know Dan's sexuality and sadly, no one will ever know with certainty because the question can't be put to him directly. But we do have eyewitness reports that he was kissing a girl at the party, that he was "all over" a girl at the party, and we have bodily fluids found in the backseat of a car. So I think it is at least safe to conjecture that he did have an interest in women and it was more than just a passing curiosity.
I should also point out that his sexuality would not even be relevant, except for the fact that witnesses made it so in saying that it went toward his state of mind. I believe these are the same witnesses who have made inconsistent statements time and time again. I think Mrs. Zamlen is only saying that it is not fair to publish such a damaging story about a person in the press when the story was unfounded, came from inconsistent/unreliable sources and when there is evidence pointing the other way.
I'd also like to say that the Zamlen family had a second autopsy completed and the associating toxicology report found high levels of GHB. The levels of GHB are supported by the fact that the people who drank the same vodka also became sick (sicker than usual when drinking) and perhaps that Dan was acting amorous that night. I am sure she has passed this along to the St. Paul Police Department, but really, why on earth would she ever need to produce this personal information to you or to any of us on the internet? I am sure that this information and whatever else she finds will be presented to the police again at the right time. And let's hope a new investigation will be opened.
@ Lisa
"If you read closely, Mrs. Zamlen said that reporting on Gannon's allegations was a violation of the young woman's rights, so I don't think she is implying the incident did not happen, only that the media should not be reporting on it when charges were not filed. This is actually not in the best interest of either party."
I will go back and re-read it here in a bit.
"but really, why on earth would she ever need to produce this personal information to you or to any of us on the internet? I am sure that this information and whatever else she finds will be presented to the police again at the right time. And let's hope a new investigation will be opened."
My intention was never to have the info relased to me, of course. That would be silly. The article I read a couple of days ago mentioned that Sally Zamlen disputed the Coroner's claims that the GHB levels were in the normal ranges for decomp. Sally Zamlen responded that she had a privat report which claimed the GHB levels where high and worthy of further study. -That's what I was commenting on. If she has that then she needs to present that to the authorities, not to the lay people on the web.
However, I'm sure I can hear the criticism being that the GHB levels only rose due to further decomp. We will have to wait and see.
Thanks so much for sharing this information about Dan and what happened to him on that tragic night.
I had the opportunity to talk with Dan's father, Dale, during the search for Dan and I have never met such a kind and wonderful person. So when I read the article about Dan's case being closed it turned my stomach at how the media went on a joy ride trying to smear Dan's name. It is so great Sally Zamlen is taking steps to defend her son because as people have said, Dan is not here to speak for himself. It is a disgrace the article even mentioned sexual orientation, suicide etc. because it had nothing to do with the ruling of an accident.
It's enlightening to see how we all interpret things so differently. I had taken the bodily fluid to mean urine. In speculating, I thought that perhaps Dan had passed out cold (because of GHB or alcohol or hypoglycemia) and was put in the back of Anna's car to be taken somewhere. It is not unusual for people to lose bladder control when they are passed out cold from any of the above mentioned reasons.
Also, Sally Zamlen has made it clear that both Anna and Sarah were not truthful the night Dan disappeared. Because of this we can't believe anything these girls have said. We can't pick and choose where they may have lied and where they may have told the truth. We have to throw out everything these girls have said, including their claim Dan was all over them the night he disappeared. Clearly, these girls tell contradictory stories.
There are so many discrepancies Sally Zamlen has listed. This just doesn't make sense.
There are a few things that jumped out at me while reading this.
1. Dan called/texted Chad and Tim so many times (8) as he walked towards the river. If it is a 9 minute walk, then Dan is using his phone nearly once every minute to contact someone. This seems desperate. I wonder why he was so anxious (almost seems in a panic)to get a hold of either one of them. But another thought also passes through my mind. Are we sure it was Dan making these calls/texts to Chad and Tim? Would it be possible Dan was in the car with someone else and passed out and she was the one in a panic trying to get in touch with these friends to help her out? Just a thought.
2. I was wondering if Sgt. Patrick Kane was related to Austin Kane, the one who had the party (or at least had the keg) and served alcohol to minors.
3. Dan's insulin pod was still attached to his body. I can hardly believe this. The manufacturer says you can go in the water for 30minutes with this devise and should not go deeper than 8 feet yet Dan was in the river for weeks and the pod stayed on? Folks, this pod is taken off and re-filled, it is not a permanent fixture. In addition, the river was high from run-off and all this turbulence didn't knock the pod off of his body after weeks???
4. Dan never called Anna from his phone records. I can't help but to wonder why someone would lie and say they had a conversation on the phone when they didn't. And why didn't Chad or Tim respond to Dan's calls/texts?
The answers to what exactly happened to Dan go back to the party. It really seems they are hiding something.
BITM,
Thanks, I see I was reading it too literally! I hadn't seen the story you mentioned.
But from this recent story, it does sound to me as though Mrs. Zamlen has given the GHB report to the authorities and that the Ramsey County ME dismissed it, refusing to compare the new results to his own initial test. I am not sure why he felt that the GHB finding was irrelevant.
I know that the GHB test can be considered controversial in that GHB can be found in the body naturally, but when you take into consideration that the other findings were not so clear cut (i.e., no injuries from a fall and no conclusive evidence of drowning), I would think the GHB could be important. The second ME by Dr. Uncini even stated, "It is likely he drowned, but I feel the manner of death cannot be determined and requires more police investigation and/or access to existing police records." So why not pull out the old GHB test?
@ BITM
"However, the implication is that the vodka tastes horrible because it is drugged, even though GHB is tasteless."
You are incorrect in stating that GHB is tasteless.
In a document created by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (http://tinyurl.com/yz4kd74
) it is stated that... "In liquid form, GHB is colorless and odorless and has a salty or soapy taste." The taste of GHB is well documented. It's taste can be masked in strongly flavored drinks, but you are incorrect in saying that it is tasteless.
The fact that Dan Zamlen said that his vodka drink tasted bad may be a very significant detail surrounding his death. For you to dispute Mrs. Zamlen's statement about GHB having a "salty taste" is reckless. BITM, get your facts straight before you say that someone else's facts are wrong.
Monique,
You make an excellent point--if the statements by the girls are so inconsistent, then they should be thrown out (or at least viewed under a microscope) because it would be impossible to tell what to believe. (I'd also add, that if these girls are so unreliable, then any opinion as to Dan's sexual preference or state of mind should also be thrown out and never reported on in the media.)
It is also interesting that Andre and Chad say that Anna kissed Dan that night. If their statements can be believed, then it would appear that there was something going on between Anna and Dan and that Anna initiated the contact (and then lied and said Dan did).
I had many of the same questions you had. I'll try to see if I can get some clarification. I do know that there are also many more inconsistencies that Mrs. Zamlen has found!
@ Eddie
"You are incorrect in stating that GHB is tasteless."
Honestly, I'm just going off of info I have read on the web. If you google, "GHB tasteless" you will be given many links to articles stating that it is tasteless. I have no idea if GHB is tasteless, as I have never used it nor do I know of anyone who has used it.
@ Lisa
"If you read closely, Mrs. Zamlen said that reporting on Gannon's allegations was a violation of the young woman's rights, so I don't think she is implying the incident did not happen, only that the media should not be reporting on it when charges were not filed. This is actually not in the best interest of either party."
I reread it and you are correct, Lisa. I apologize for my previous remark as I should have read the letter more thoroughly.
@ Lisa
"...I would think the GHB could be important. The second ME by Dr. Uncini even stated, "It is likely he drowned, but I feel the manner of death cannot be determined and requires more police investigation and/or access to existing police records." So why not pull out the old GHB test?"
So are they saying that the confusion stems from their being no water in the lungs, thus indicating a drowning death?
@ Monique777
Perhaps you should compile a thorough list of descrepancies with the case to be included in a seperate blog post (if Lisa agrees?)
It might be hard to pin down actual statements because I remember the media kept attributing different comments to the girls and there was a lot of confusion as to what they actually said.
For example, I was under the impresson that Dan was trying to call/text the girls, I didn't know he was trying to reach those guys.
It would also be interesting to read the inaccuracies, like the one where you claim there was no record of Dan calling Anna. I would really like to see moreon that. Also see if you can verify if the Sgt is related to the guy who threw the party because that would be a conflict of interest right there.
One more thing, my father has an insulin pump. I'm not sure if it's the same kind Dan had but I will check with him and see what he says.
@ BITM - I will have to get clarification, but I suspect the reason they can't say for certain that he drowned was because there was a lack of water in the lungs.
Anyone have any insight into this?
I do plan to post some more information on the insulin pump that Dan was wearing. It was an Omnipod pump that was changed every 3 days and not meant to be submerged for very long. The manufacturer's website even recommends checking it frequently if you are in the water for any length of time. If your father has that same kind, I'd be interested in hearing his take on it.
@ Lisa
I just checked and he doesn't have a Omnipod. He has a Medtronic Minimed. It too lasts 3 days before it needs to be refilled but my dad claims that it can't be submerged in water for anytime and must be removed when he showers.
But the no water in the lungs..that's how I interpreted it which should have been enough of a mystery that would allow for further investigation or at least a more in-depth tox screen.
The information I posted came from Sally Zamlen's "facts". She states there is no record of Dan calling Anna and that Dan made 8 attempts to contact his 2 friends. I really don't have any more information other than what Sally Zamlen is providing here and pointing out so I'm not sure what you mean about creating a second blog. Wouldn't that just be redundant?
I do apologize if I over-post about Dan and GHB etc. It was so close to home and my heart still breaks for his family.
@ Monique777
Sorry, it came across as if you were on this fact-finding mission and had already compiled some of this info from other sources, not just Sally's letter.
@ BITM
I AM on a fact-finding mission but sure don't mean to step on anyone's toes or come across as offensive.
Thank you to Mrs. Zamlen for sharing additional details.
This case sounds to me that something may have happened at the party, accidental overdose perhaps if the drinks were drugged "for fun". If the party goers were slipped the drugs and then Dan got sick and died, then they would have went to great lengths to cover it up. Including the phone calls where they claim Dan said he was by the river. Anyone can make a call from someone else's phone, if they don't leave a message, can't prove who it was. Also, if someone (involved in cover up) claims to have spoken to Dan, can't really prove it was him that made the call. They could have used his phone to make it appear that he made the calls, with the exeption of the VM. JMO.
In so many of these cases the parents accept the rulings of accident so when a parent questions the validity, then I lean towards the parent as they tend to know when something is not quite right.
@ Lisa
It also get the impression something was going on between Dan and Anna. If the kiss was just a friendly gesture by Anna, I can't see why Dan's friends would even bother telling the police about it.
@BITM
Other sources? No, just what's available to everyone. But living in a neighborhood filled with St. Thomas students, there was some talk but I regarded it all as rumor which most of it turned out to be. So sorry, no additional sources.
@ Sally Zamlen
Thank you so much for sharing the facts. They are so different than what was reported in the media.
I am so sorry for your loss and encourage and support you in seeking the truth as far as what happened to Dan that tragic night. I hope you find answers and can eventually find some peace.
@ Monique777
I don't think you've stepped on anyone's toes nor do I find you offensive. I actually like your comments, so keep up the good work.
What I would like everyone to pay special attention to is the following:
"Zamlen's voice grew distant as he said those last few words, as if he were moving away from his cell phone, she said. Then the phone cut out. Family members and friends said it rang unanswered for several hours afterward before going straight to voicemail, indicating that its battery was dead."
There are reports in past cases,stating the same information. The victims voices are reported as growing faint, trailing off into the distance and then the phone call going dead. My assumption is that the calls are being blocked by a phone jammer. And did they ever find Dan's phone? It continued to ring and go to voicemail until the battery died,telling me it never hit the water or was damaged in a "fall".
@ Cherish
I can't even recall if Dan's phone was recovered or not. Anybody know?
What I would like everyone to pay special attention to is the following:
"Zamlen's voice grew distant as he said those last few words, as if he were moving away from his cell phone, she said. Then the phone cut out. Family members and friends said it rang unanswered for several hours afterward before going straight to voicemail, indicating that its battery was dead."
There are reports in past cases,stating the same information. The victims voices are reported as growing faint, trailing off into the distance and then the phone call going dead. My assumption is that the calls are being blocked by a phone jammer. And did they ever find Dan's phone? It continued to ring and go to voicemail until the battery died,telling me it never entered the water or was damaged in a "fall".
I read a news article stating metal detectors were used to look for the phone but it was never reported that the phone was located.Mrs.Zamlen refers to phone records so I don't think they found the actual phone
You go Sally. Scout moms rock all the way.
Dan's phone has not been found.
There is one fact that really jumps out at me and this is about the pod still being on Dan's body upon recovery.
It would be an enlightening call to the manufacturer to ask if this is even possible. It may be the company has nothing to compare this finding to from previous years and may lead to some speculation, however if Sally Zamlen has not made this call I would highly recommend it. This is just one of many ways to get some answers.
Toll Free number to Omnipod customer service specialists 1-800-591-3455
Fact: He’s dead. I hate it for everyone involved, but it is what it is.
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