Suburban Drive - Four Years After
Monday, October 1, 2012 at 9:43AM Suburban Drive is not far from Orlando International Airport, so as I left the Gun Rights Policy Conference early Saturday evening, heading for home, I decided to take a peek at where Caylee Anthony’s remains were found. What does it look like today? It’s been over four years since that steamy night in mid-June of 2008, when her tiny body and personal effects were thrown into those woods like a bag of trash.
What I expected to find was something akin to what it looked like back then, dumped beneath a tree in kudzu infested woods, a mere 19’ 8” from the curb. From all of my trips to the site, I never sensed the spirit of Caylee, but I was aware of all sorts of vermin, like snakes, that call the place home. I never wanted to go near it at night because of what may be lurking about.
What I saw Saturday was pretty much what I expected. Soon after law enforcement, anthropologists and forensic teams moved in on December 11, the day she was found by Orange County water utility meter reader Roy Kronk, the place was rendered as bald as the top of my head, as if an exfoliant like Agent Orange had been sprayed throughout. I knew the place would take a number of years to spring back to life and I didn’t expect it to ever look quite like it did that fateful day, before investigators began their work. Mother Nature has taken back what is hers, and for six short months, Mother Nature was more of a mother than Caylee ever had.
To anyone who questions whether she was purposely killed, I will tell you what I heard from prosecutor Jeff Ashton on more than one occasion — you don’t make an accident look like a murder.
You don’t throw a precious little girl into dark and murky woods, either; dead or alive.
Caylee Marie Anthony. Born 8/9/05. Found at 8905 Suburban Drive.
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To the right of the cross is a tree wrapped in kudzu (Photo 4.) At its base was where Caylee’s skull and personal effects were found, along with other bones. The rest of her skeletal remains were scattered over a half-mile area.
Click photos to enlarge
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Reader Comments (31)
This still breaks my heart as if it just happened yesterday. Thank you so much for remembering little Caylee. She will always be in all of our hearts.
[I will never forget her, Cindy. EVER! You are welcome, but there's no need to thank me. It is an honor to do this.]
Quoted and snipped from Dave's post:
...prosecutor Jeff Ashton on more than one occasion — you don’t make an accident look like a murder.
You don’t throw a precious little girl’s body into dark and murky woods like a bag of garbage, either.
Dr Jan Garavaglia, medical examiner, also echoed these words--or very similar ones. I believe her words were more along the lines of: 'what purpose would duck tape found around a child's mouth have?'
Cheney Mason couldn't end the cross fast enough.
It was all wasted though. The jury didn't catch it. The jury with their own agenda.
I agree with Cindy E., it still breaks my heart. And always will.
May the murderer of this child never find a moment's peace!
[I did change the text somewhat, nan11, and the quote is different, but the message is the same. I moved the garbage part to the top and changed the word to trash. Sorry if this confuses anyone. I did it before - or during - your comment, and I think the post reads better now.]
I'm tearing up as I write this note!
That poor sweet baby doll ....All she ever was to Casey and Cindy was a cross between a battering ram and a tug-of-war.
Shirley Pleasea (RIP) was essentially right ...it all came down to the fact that Casey hated Cindy more than she loved Caylee (although I still question if she ever truly loved Caylee).
Casey is all about Casey ...and no one can interfere in that love relationship.
ANd Jeff Ashton is to right - no one makes an accient look like a murder ..and NO ONE stays in jail for over 3 years on chages of murder if they are innocent.
Casey got away with murder. ....
Thanks so for these photos, Dave ... As with the murder of any sweet child, the pain really never goes away.
[No need to thank me, Jnpgh, but thank you for doing so. This will forever remain a sad event. I hope no one forgets her.]
Sorry, Dave: I should have thanked you before I went into that rant.
So, thank you for remembering 34 month old Caylee; and for taking your time to visit that horrible area where her mother threw her.
And thank you for posting it here and inviting us to come and express our thoughts.
Or our pain really.
That is what the media never got. imo Most of us who followed this case faithfully never gave two hoots about the pics of the murderess with her rear-end hanging out.
We cared about justice for a 34 month old baby. A beautiful baby. Who no-one protected from the monster that called herself mother.
And justice was denied.
(That simple white cross is just heartbreaking. I'm glad it is there, though.)
[There was no need to thank me, nan11, but I do appreciate it.
You know, I thought about posting a picture of Caylee, too, with the Suburban Drive scenes, but then I decided against it. I want people to think of her as she would be today; a vibrant 7-year-old girl in second grade.
One thing about the media - most of the outlets, anyway - is that they are interested in the here and now. I know, because of all my years in advertising design, it was the same thing; today's news is at the bottom of tomorrow's birdcage. My, we've come a long way since then. Today, we have iPads and smart phones, blogs and forums, and all sorts of online material to choose from. I can picture a time when newspapers and magazines will no longer be printed on paper, and it's not so far away. What will a newspaper be called then, since paper is no longer in the picture? It's like videotaping. Media types still use tape to record, but for the rest of us, it's all digital.
Imagine what a world Caylee would be growing up in; a most fascinating time in history, as technology grows by leaps and bounds. She wasn't quite one-year-old when the first iPhone came out. This is a girl who should have grown up knowing what an iPad is. It came out 2 years after her death.
In the end, there will be no technology for Caylee. Instead, a simple white cross, made out of wood, is what is left. We have our memories, but that cross is perfect because, like you said, it's a heartbreaking reminder, and it's a symbol an iPad could never duplicate.
Thanks.]
Actually, I revamped the whole article, if you want to read it again...
Great post, once again. Thank you.
[Thank you, Annie. Caylee will forever be etched in our minds.]
Dave ~~God love you for going out to Suburban for us. If I ever had the opportunity to visit Orlando, I know that I would go out to Suburban and pay my respects to that precious little heart. Caylee Marie brought many of us together and we bonded as we pored over documents and prayed that she would get justice. Things don't always work out the way we had hoped but maybe something can be learned from this tragic case. When my thoughts go to Caylee , I see a bubbly little girl with the most beautiful brown eyes and a radiant smile that would melt any heart. Her spirit will remain with us forever.
I guess the walkway and memorial did not materialize but in one way, that is a good thing. There are just too many bad memories in those woods.
I hope time will help Cindy, George and Lee cope with the void left in their hearts when they lost their granddaughter and niece. I do not wish them any ill will as they have suffered enough. I dont know what will become of Casey. By some miracle, she may be able to be rehabilitated and lead some sort of a productive life. Time will tell.
I am glad that nature has brightened up those woods with new growth. God and nature has a way with taking care of its own. Thanks, Dave. I will even throw in a tender hug, my friend. ~~Snoop
[I know you would visit Suburban Drive, Snoopy, and it would be nice for you to have the opportunity to do so one day. Meanwhile, I am happy (in a sad sort of way) to be able to show you what it looks like today.
We spent nearly three years picking through the evidence released to us. We analyzed it every which way possible, and in the end, NOTHING! How sad. Well, I guess it wasn't really nothing because, in our hearts, we know who killed Caylee and threw her body in the woods. And yes, her spirit will always be with us.
I'm sort of glad the memorial didn't work out. I never wanted it to begin with, but when I saw the artist's rendering of the plan, it was beautiful. At the same time, I felt it was impractical. Those woods are uninhabitable, and it would have taken a fortune to make it work.
As for George and Cindy, the public nightmare is over, but they will have horrible dreams for the rest of their lives. Whatever happened then; the lies and other stupid actions, is in the past. I'd just as soon forget them, as I have following the story. It's pretty much over as far as I'm concerned.
Yes, God and nature take care of their own. Good thing, too. Thanks for the hug.]
Amazing how this case still pops into my head all the time and I can still get as angry and sad as I did back when it was happening. I know time heals and it has for the most part. Sadly, I know Caylee is better off where she is than with the people that "loved" her but I just can't let the sad fact go that her killer got away with murder and that there were 12 individuals who didn't have the common sense needed to put the puzzle together - I don't think I'll ever get over that one - glad that they have all stayed quiet and laid low - I am sure their shame must haunt them. Thank you for keeping Caylee in our thoughts and for being one of her biggest advocates - you are truly a special person.
[No one that participated in this case in some form or another will ever forget Caylee, Lisa. Let's hope that George and Cindy make it easy to forget about them by staying on the down low. That includes their daughter, too, the 21st century's answer to Lizzie Borden.
No need to thank me, but you are quite welcome. The only other person who told me I was special was my mother, and that was a long time ago.]
Bless her little heart. I'd say I hope her mother has nightmares and visions of that video of her sweet little face turning into a skull, but it'd be useless. You have to have a conscience to have nightmares, and she doesn't have one.
[I think she does, Connie, but it probably has more to do with how this mess screwed up her life. Caylee's fault. Of course, that's Casey for you.]
Thank you Dave
[You are quite welcome, Diane. It's never a fun thing to do, but I often think about Caylee and I happened to be near those woods.]
Dear Dave & All
I just can't stop the tears everytime I read something about how Caylee Marie was murdered. I still see that murderer giving a ^5 to Lee,hear the entire family lie through their teeth in depositions,at hearings and at the trial. Then, I remember hearing the verdict I was in shock,I couldn't believe those jurors could be so concerned with going home. They never asked to review evidence or testimony,just plain lazy or stupid or both. I don't know how they manage to live with themselves,especially the juror who said her children considered her a good mother. She & the A's had Bozo & the finger man who are just as dispicable to help her walk away and celebrate.
As to the murderer imho she will never be free. She has continued to be uneducated,and unemployeed during her probation which shows me she is still only interested in herself. She will never know the love of a decent man,and most probably never be a positive contributing member of society. It's really to bad that family can never know true peace or forgiveness until such time as they truly confess and repent of this terrible crime. JMHO of course.
Thank you Dave and All
I'm now off my soap box.
[I know this is a tough one, Tommy's Mom, but we have to remain strong. That high five to Lee was despicable and it made me want to puke. If Lee ever sexually molested her, she sure did come across as if it had no emotional impact on her whatsoever. Speaking of which, I never did believe a word of Baez's about George. That's absurd! If anything, she was jealous because he seemed more emotionally attached to Caylee and that upset her to no end.
She will never be free. Caylee will forever dominate her life, and that's a real curse to her. The same thing with Zimmerman. No matter what, his hopes and dreams fell with one single gunshot. I don't think he ever would have amounted to much, anyway, but now he's getting money from people that know no better. They are no better, either, because they are blinded by being "dumbwitted."
Thanks, I'm glad you had a chance to vent.]
It is especially well written, now, Dave. Thank you again. The pictures, of course, express a thousands words and stir a thousand memories.
I will never doubt the horror that occurred in that bog. Never.
I wish I could, but I know that I will not. I spent too many hours, years really, sifting through the evidence.
Sifting as carefully as the crime scene technicians sifted through the debris for each tiny bone of Caylee Marie's skeletal remains. On their hands and knees, in the pouring rain.
I know what I found; just like they knew what they found.
As far as those who support and supported her [accused] murderer, I wish them neither good nor bad.
I suspect they get by each day as best they can. That is fine with me.
[Thanks, nan11. Something just didn't read right to me after I initially put it up. Of course, the photos are really what makes the post, but I still needed to edit the text.
I will tell you I know that George and Cindy still live together on Hopespring. When I left Suburban, I drove by their house and just before I got there, a white-haired man was walking along the sidewalk. It was George. The garage door was open and two vehicles sat inside. There was also a Ford Expedition parked in the driveway, probably for his work. I'm not saying this to stir anyone or to gossip. It is what it is and if George and Cindy have anything, they are living within modest means - far from the riches they were supposed to have made. I can't deny them that.]
Dave~ ~I hope you don't mind me posting these. I think it is well worth watching them again.
Dave's video of Suburban
Dave's video of Suburban-two
Dave's videos of Suburban-three
They are??? Thank you, Snoopy. No, I don't mind at all. I'll never win an Oscar, though.]
Dave, your pictures turned out great! Thank you for taking and sharing them with all of us so that we can see four years later what that area looks like. I am glad to see that a lot of it has grown back. It was so awful to look at that area after it had been dug up knowing they were looking for her tiny bones. It is hard to believe that Caylee would be seven years old now. Casey will forever be looking over her shoulder. Thanks again. It is appreciated.
[Hello Mary Jo!!! How great it is to see you! I know how much you followed this case, and I'm glad you found comfort in seeing how the area looks today. It is very hard to imagine that Caylee would be in second grade now. I think about that every so often and it pains me.
I just had to go down there and take pictures. And pay my respects to someone who shall forever remain a little girl. Thank you for commenting. That is so appreciated, too.]
Oh Dave!
Mother Nature taking back her own. How poignant and powerful those words and these pictures are.
The integrity of all the team who worked performed above and beyond for justice. Their work will stand forevermore. That's why I watched, I realized no comprehensive book could ever be written to truly tell the full story.Jeff Ashton's book was wonderful, but people needed to have seen those faces on the stand, to understand.
No, no one will ever forget. They didn't lose because the truth was told through their efforts.
[You know, CoffeeLover, that phrase came later, when I did the re-edit. I, too, thought it would be poignant, so thank you.
Being there and speaking with many of the investigators, they worked extremely hard, but in the end; even before the verdict, they told me it was just a job. I knew better. These dedicated people put their hearts and souls into their work. I guess they do it with each murder, but I knew what little Caylee meant to them. She was always special.]
Thanks Dave Caylee gone and never forgoten ..unlike her mother what was her name? Glad to see all of this nonsense about building an elevated walk through memorial has been forgoten..Wonder what happened to the site that was soliciting funds to buy the land an build memorial an any funds it raised?
[Hi, ecossie. Nope, she will never be forgotten, and I'm happy to see the memorial plan hasn't materialized. I now think it should be left alone, as a stark reminder of where she was dumped like garbage - in a hostile swamp, thick with brush. How evil it was to do that. Thanks, my friend.]
Ecossie~~you raise a good question. I wonder how many people paid to have their names etched in the bricks that were to make up the walkway.
Snoops; Thanks for posting the vids. I had gotten to see some Jay Blanchard Park, etc. Didn;t see these so watched them all;.
Coffee Lover~~if you go to youtube and type in Dave Knechel, he has more videos he filmed. I used to follow Murt when Lenny Padilla and the divers searched the Econ River at Jay Blanchard. If you ever need help in finding anything, just sing out and I will be of service... it's okay to yodel in the key of C. lol
As sad it is, she couln't have loved her baby because ther was no love for the man who fathred the baby. It is sad, becaus if the mother had givn the child for adopsion like she wanted this child could be aliv and well today and thos bushes would not have tasted the death of a beautiful baby girl. As much as grandpartens tried to force this mother to love the baby she had no natural instinst to do it becaus the union was not made out of love between woman and man. Manly time a young girl can love her bably becaus she was in love with the man even if he did not care about her. The baby is a part of her love for him so it can be enuff so she is happy to have the child be born. I think a lot of aborsions are because it happens like wilth this mother Casey, and they don't want a baby.
[Hi, Eyeball - I don't even know if Casey knew who the father was. Even if she did, there was no love for him. It was nothing more than a sexual thing. If she had a choice, which Cindy denied her, she would have aborted Caylee and that would have been the end of it. How sad that it took Casey over 3 years (including her pregnancy) to perform her own painful abortion; painful on her child. I hate to put it so crudely but, in essence, that's exactly what she did. She cast her daughter out, taking her life with it. Whoever the father is, or was, he'll probably never know. At least, I hope not, because it would haunt him for the rest of his life. Gee, that sounds like something vindictive Casey would do, doesn't it?]
Dave, seeing your photo’s brought back the sadness we all felt for little Caylee. As for me, the whole fiasco of the trial has changed the way I view our justice system. Never before and never again will I allow my feelings and emotions to become so involved with a criminal case. Little Caylee received no justice from our courts, the whole defense team made a joke out of the murder of a little girl. As for the jury ……………………… they bought all the lies, and couldn’t wait to go home. Dave do you think we will ever hear what really went on in the minds of those jurors? I know we will never hear the truth from any member of the Anthony family. As always, I enjoy reading your blog, and look forward to reading your thoughts and ideas about our justice system.
[Hi, Rob - Yes, those photos are a stark reminder of what was once there. While I was shocked by the verdict, it didn't come as a complete surprise. After all, the Lizzie Borden case ended with the same verdict. We learned of that one when we were children. Then there's OJ. Who could ever forget that one? I guess I'm hardened now, too. As much of a letdown that it was, I had to look at the outcome as openly as possible or I never could have written about it. It was disgusting, but that's just the way the system works. Imagine all those investigators...
Thanks, hopefully, I will continue to write about our justice system for years to come.]
I truly feel that if George Anthony could free himself from Cindy's clutches we may get closer to the truth about what happened to that child than we will ever be. I think George KNOWS Casey killed his beloved grandchild and if he could speak freely he would tell the world.
[I think George blames his daughter, for sure, but would he ever admit he thinks she committed murder? I don't know. I'll bet you he wishes Baez would fall off a cliff, though. He probably looks at him as the scapegoat. Imagine locking the two of them in a room together.]
Hi Dave,
This was another beautful and well written post. The simple white cross was much better than an elaborate monument for Caylee.
It was very demoralizing that poor little Caylee never got justice. However, justice wouldn't have done her any good once she was dead. We were the ones who would have benefitted emotionally from justice for Caylee. We will never forget Caylee.
I am still hoping that those who are suing Felon Anthony will win their cases in court. I think it as terrible that neither felon Anthony nor her mother had even the slightest concern for how Casey's lies harmed Zenaida Gonzales. I also feel sorry for EquuSearch and for Roy Kronk.
[Thank you, Amber. I agree, the simple white cross is ample enough. It's not that she's not deserving, but who needs something like that? Besides, her real monument is that she will live on forever in our minds, and she will never be forgotten all around the world.
I blame Casey for deceiving EquuSearch, but poor Roy... that was Baez all the way. Anything to "defend" his client.]
.
Finally answered comments. Sorry it took so long.
I remember Dr Jan Garavaglia's words as if she were sitting in the room with me right now. "There is absolutely no reason for duct tape to be any where near a toddler's face."
Any idea on what the 12 jurors are up to?
[I think the jurors went back to the life of obscurity, from whence they came. Who wants to pay for their stories?]
Hi Dave,
experiencing some issues to connect on your site :( ...I just want you to know that I still read your great articles. Hope you're great.
greetings from Luxembourg
[It is so nice to see you again, Rita. What a treat! I'm sorry you're having difficulty connecting to my site, and if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.
I'm very happy you still enjoy reading my articles. I don't know if the Zimmerman case interests you, but every so often, I'll do a short write-up on Caylee and what's going on there. Of course, there's not much to say these days. As for me? I'm fine, thank you, and I hope all is well in Luxembourg. Thank you, Rita, it's always a pleasure.]
Thanks Dave for this update. I am still obsessed with this case. I log into my computer ever day hoping to see Casey has landed back in jail and that karma has caught up with her. There are so many more heinous cases of child cruelty and murder in the news than Caylees but it's this case I yearn for justice on. It was getting to know all the players in this case thru the media and all the lies and injustice that internalized this case for so many of us. Caylee became our child too.
[I have no idea how I missed your comment, Patti O, but I did. I'm sorry. I found it when Margaret's came in, just below.
A lot of people are still obsessed with the Anthony case, so don't feel bad. Yes, a lot has to do with how emotionally attached we got to the people involved, especially Caylee. She became our child, even tho she wasn't really. Now, all we can do is hope and pray that justice will one day come, but it may never. She joined the millions who never find it. Sadly, for her, it's a closed case. There will be no more investigations. If there is justice today, it is only in the knowledge that we know who murdered her, so, in a sense, she achieved justice in the form of public opinion. Her mother will never be free. while there are no bars that will keep her in, there are lots of people that will keep her out.
Thanks. Again, I'm sorry I missed your comment.]
Thank you Dave for Caylee post and photos, all beautifully done. I still can't wrap my mind around a mother taking her childs body and leaving her in such a hostile enviroment. Dear little Caylee made me see just how flawed the justice system is. I would love to sit with jurors and hear their thoughts today about their verdict. I wonder if any of them have had any life changing issues because of the decision they made. The whole premise that a defense attorney can bring up false allegations against people to cast blame on innocent people, is just wrong. The law that says only the prosecution has to be honest is ludicrous.. Afterwards caca is sent off to be protected, while her lawyers tried to put everything on the shoulders of prosecutors and the detectives.. All because of lies the defense was allowed to use.. I try not to think of the rest of that family.. Caylees great grandmother died knowing that caca had killed Caylee.. She had to live that nightmare the rest of her short life.. caca has a lot to answer for , but you can bet where ever she is , she is still only thinking of caca.. Her inflated ego , after having gotten away with murder, has her thinking that she is all powerful. I too can look at that sweet face of Caylee and my anger is still there... I haven't posted much lately but I've been reading. This case you are on now is interesting but I don't think there will be any winners in this case..... Thanks Dave , I too think you are special for remembering Caylee.
[Hello, Margaret. It's a real privilege to see. I don't think anyone who got wrapped so deeply in the Caylee case will ever forget or lose the pain. For three long years, she was in our daily thoughts and prayers. She still is. I agree that what her mother's defense did was a sin, but there is no God in the courtroom, despite the oath of "So help me God." While we frown on Baez and his blatant lies, he didn't break any laws. If we are to stop attorneys like him from doing this again, we must work to change the existing laws. How? I don't know. He didn't have to prove anything. Maybe, we should strive to remove accusations from opening statements if they cannot be shown to be true. Baez accused George of being an incestuous child molester and he can't sue.
The object of a defense attorney is to get their client off the hook, but that was a disgrace.
Thank you for dropping by because it's always so nice to see your name in a comment. I just wish I could do more for Caylee. I will do my best to keep her memory alive. And no, there will be no winners in this case, either.]
Were on vacation at Disney a few weeks ago, we had to take a ride to see this dumping ground for a prescious Cayleigh. I felt that this was going to be a very sad place. Yes it was but our emotions
were that of sheer anger. To see this in person was upsetting. As I commented before ANGER.
and disbelief that this was done to her. Only coud think how disquisting what her body went thourgh.
Did see for sale sign on the dumping ground. That too was bothersome too.
Were on vacation at Disney a few weeks ago, we had to take a ride to see this dumping ground for a prescious Cayleigh. I felt that this was going to be a very sad place. Yes it was but our emotions
were that of sheer anger. To see this in person was upsetting. As I commented before ANGER.
and disbelief that this was done to her. Only coud think how disquisting what her body went thourgh.
Did see for sale sign on the dumping ground. That too was bothersome too.
Hi Dave. Hope you have a wonderful holiday this week. I hope that George and Cindy will one day come to their senses about this whole scenario. I wonder what they will be thankful for Thanksgiving. Not being mean, just wondering.
Happy Thanksgiving from Savannah