Deep Dive
Why did Roger Chang wait until Tuesday to report his sister missing?
Roger waited until Tuesday to report Joyce missing because he wanted to give her one last chance to reach out, even though it was unusual for her to ghost everyone like that. He initially thought she might have decided to stay at a friend's house due to her cold and the bad weather.
Why was the FBI involved in Joyce Chang's disappearance?
The FBI was involved because Joyce was a government employee working for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), which made her a federal officer. This, coupled with the possibility of foul play, required federal involvement.
What was the significance of the location where Joyce's wallet was found?
Joyce's wallet was found on the banks of the Anacostia River, which is at least a 20-minute drive from DuPont Circle where she was last seen. This location raised suspicions because it was far from her last known whereabouts and not a logical place for her to go.
What did the autopsy reveal about Joyce Chang's cause of death?
The autopsy was inconclusive and provided no definitive cause of death. There were no marks on her skeleton indicating a gunshot wound or stabbing, and they could not determine if she had drowned due to the state of her body.
Why did the FBI consider suicide as a possible cause of Joyce Chang's death?
The FBI considered suicide because Joyce was under an internal investigation at the INS and was supposed to have a formal interview with the agency the week after she went missing. Her jacket was also found near a bridge known for suicide attempts, and the stress from the investigation might have been too much for her to handle.
What new evidence led police to believe Joyce was abducted and killed by three suspects?
In 2011, police believed Joyce was abducted from DuPont Circle by three suspects and taken to the banks of the Anacostia River to be robbed. They theorized she might have been pushed into the river or fell while trying to escape. Two of the suspects, Steve Allen and Neil Joaquin, were known for similar crimes.
Why did the police close Joyce Chang's case without pressing charges against the suspects?
The police closed the case because they felt they had enough evidence to get arrest warrants but not enough for a slam dunk conviction. They were concerned about double jeopardy and decided not to risk a trial that might result in a loss.
- Joyce Chiang's disappearance
- Wallet found near Anacostia River
- Pager leads to a dead end
- Investigation begins
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