His life reads like a spy novel: former Army officer, West Point graduate, Pentagon and Securities and Exchange Commission stints and a job with Mitre Corp, which handles some information technology work for both Homeland Security and the U.S. Defense Department.
John P. Wheeler III, 66, didn't exit under a cloak of darkness on purpose, however, as police in Delaware say his dead body, found at a landfill in the area, was most definitely due to homicide.
The Washington Post reported that Wheeler was in Washington and expected to board an Amtrak train for home on Dec. 28. He and his wife, Katherine Klyce, are residents of New Castle, Delaware, and the Amtrak trip would have put him in Wilmington--an approximate ten mile distance from his home.
Body of John Wheeler found in landfill
John Wheeler never made it, his dead body turning up at the Cherry Island Landfill in Wilmington, Delaware on Dec. 31, around 9:56 a.m. per police.
Ten trash receptacles had been picked up that morning by a trash truck and hauled to the landfill. And it was a landfill worker supervising that particular truck's content dump--to ensure items in it weren't on the prohibited list--who actually saw Wheeler's body exit the truck as it dumped its load.
Although LE (law enforcement) isn't saying what the autopsy showed was the cause of the homicide, police are asking for anyone with knowledge of John Wheeler's whereabouts between Dec. 28 and the 31st to contact them at the Newark PD's tip line: 1-800-TIP-8333
Wheeler may not have been on Amtrak train
According to the Washington Post, it isn't clear if Wheeler ever made it to the Amtrak train or not. But Fox News reported that he was last seen on Amtrak, so stories appear conflicted as the news is just breaking.
Click HERE for more updates on John P. Wheeler's train travel
The Post reported that the ten trash receptacles contents being dumped when Wheeler's body was found had all come from Newark, Delaware and not Wilmington--and within three to four blocks of one another.
Additionally, the autospy showed that Wheeler couldn't have been in the trash receptacle long, as the ten receptacles had all been picked up on Friday the 31st, prior to the 9:56 a.m. dump in Wilmington.
Journalist James Fallows friend of Wheelers speaks
John Wheeler was not a man to be trifled with, to hear his friend James Fallows tell it, and he was a passionate and outspoken person on a multitude of issues, including cybersecurity.
Fallows, a writer with the Atlantic Magazine details Wheeler as a man given to "frequent, lengthy, often urgent-sounding and often overwrought dispatches on the state of the struggle."
But that is totally at odds with their last communique, which Fallows said he received very late on the night of Christmas. In fact, Fallows said, "I was surprised to see this simple note from him." And that should be the first clue police explore, as it is a major departure from John Wheeler's behavior of years past, and it preceded his death by mere days.
According to Fallows, the note was this: "Jim, Merry Christmas, Old Friend. Onward and Upward." That almost sounds suicidal in nature.
For John P. Wheeler neighbor comments click HERE
Profile
John Wheeler likely never made the Amtrak train unless his murderer was waiting on him to exit it on the night of the 28th, which could have happened. Until police and newspaper accounts line up, we just can't know at this point where he was last seen.
Wheeler could have met with foul play in Washington and been transported to Newark after-the-fact, effectively removing his body as far from the location of the crime as the perpetrator--or perpetrators--felt they should (or could) move him on that date, without drawing suspicion to themselves. And he could have been murdered after leaving Amtrak and then been transported to Newark.
Organized criminals plan such activities--disorganzied ones don't, usually leaving bodies where they fall. Likewise, crimes of passion (spur of the moment) don't afford much planning opportunity, resulting in the perp fleeing and leaving the body behind unless he knew the victim and felt compelled to hide the crime.
John Wheeler's killer seemed to have a familiarity with the scheduled trash transport schedules in Newark for this particular geographical area, so he/she/they likely have spent time in this area previously as a resident or worker or know someone intimately who still does or has.
On the other hand, they didn't seem to be aware of the landfill protocols that would catch sight of a falling body when the haul was unloaded, which will aid investigators with the case.
Wheeler's killer did, however, want to hide the former Army officer's body, which helps narrow down the potential suspect pool and shed light on the potential "whys" of the murder. People who attempt to rob strangers don't try to hide their bodies. People who didn't know John Wheeler was so well connected wouldn't have felt the need to hide his body either.
It is also possible that John Wheeler knew his imminent demise might be probable. That would explain his writing an email so out of character for his journalist friend that any disappearance would prompt Fallow to speculate about it and the odd salutation given--that, or the fact that John Wheeler didn't send that email at all.
Performing a victimology on Wheeler could determine which of the two scenarios would be more likely for him, and which, in turn, could then provide further investigative direction, as not all criminals seek to establish a timeline change as sending an email would definitely do.
A killer who knew John Wheeler on an intimate level professionally or personally would benefit more by that action.
Investigators can't rely on witness statements, necessarily, or even accept all data supplied by the people who knew, worked with, or interacted with a homicide victim as fact, as they must assume all are guilty until eliminated as a suspect. The victimology process enables them to learn who the victim was and how out of character it would be to send such an email.
Therefore, investigators of the murder of Army officer John Wheeler will seek to verify any information provided about John Wheeler's exact timeline of activity provided by others who knew him.
That's where the public can help, coming forward to provide information about his last known whereabouts and sightings. But even then, police know all too well that some killers seek to place themselves within the investigation this way. So they will take it with a grain of salt.
John Wheeler was a former Army officer and had lots of interaction and dealings with Defense and Homeland Security. He was also a man given to vocal opinions without reserve: that's a man who would likely see trouble coming and who would only be taken down by a formidable adversary--or someone he trusted. And it would likely take more than one person to cart his body away. Click Here for more recent updates on John Wheeler and Here for the most recent one about his two kitchen chairs and the removed floorboards in his home.
For information surrounding the most recent disclosure of FBI forensic analysis about the explosive device found in the neighbor's home of John P. Wheeler, click Here.
Those interested in learning what John P. Wheeler was recently alleged to have done in a criminal nature involving his future neighbor's home should click Here.
For where the John P. Wheeler III case is going now, in mid-January, click here.
Reference: The Washington Post and Fox News
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Comments
Usually, a person doesn't show up, they are reported missing. The police did not (as they usually do) mention when he was reported missing. just that his body turned up. This guy made his living from ginned up paranoia. He must have bought into it on some level and would not allow himself to be missing for three days. Then again, he might have had a secret life that those closest to him would simply buck up and wait until he turned up.
My guess is the body was moved and disposed of. The fact that the garbage is known to have come from a total of 10 bins., leads me to believe that it wasn't important to hide the body, except for the time it took for the perpetrators to vanish. I say perpetrators.. because if the garbage truck only has ten pickups for it's load, then these are large containers- not like, say, residential trash cans. It would take more then one person to dump a body over the edge of such a container.
He was a spook, a rabid republican, and a made man of the Bush administration. The possibilities of him being involved in 'bad voodoo' , as they say, is highly probable. What's interesting is that sort of behavior in Washington usually gets you promoted or re-elected. So it must be some kind of outside business where people don't like to get pushed around or lied to. (clearly, the American electorate is off the hook). it is a mystery to be sure.
Normanx: The police did mention that he was never "reported missing" which is telling in itself. And hiding the body was important--criminals don't waste one iota of their time if it isn't...neither do those who know their victim. I do agree with you on it taking more than one person to dump the body, but "rabid Republican...made man of the Bush admin"? Nope. You need to research him online and read what one of his closest friends says on the Atlantic Mag about him. He was in Washington before Bush...and this friend of his "Fallows" takes issue with the Fox Bush mention altogether, so...
Thanks for reading and positing about it! Come back if you have more thoughts on it later...
The rumor is that he had gone to washington to confront people with knowledge out about the accident with chemical weapons that left thousands of animals dead in arkansas. Something about a supply of chemical weapons from iraq.
"And that should be the first clue police explore, as it is a major departure from John Wheeler's behavior of years past, and it preceded his death by mere days."
Having known John personally (via his children), I can state unequivocally that his note to Fallows was not all that unusual or suspicious. He was amongst some of the most erratic persons I have known, one minute chanting lines from war movies and another minute rambling about the United States' asymmetric advantage in certain combat situations. Writing a quick, thoughtful note (even if melancholic) is not all that out of character.
"And he could have been murdered after leaving Amtrak and then been transported to Newark."
I think this is them most plausible explanation. Washington DC has plenty of places to make a body disappear, from rivers to swamps. Why would someone intercept him in an area riddled with surveillance cameras, murder him, and then drive him to Newark, DE?
Anonymoused thanks for posting your opinions. As to your last sentence: the same reason they would murder him in Wilmington and transport him to Newark, which is to distance the body from the actual crime scene and person.
By the way, there is a new twist, see the update link at the bottom of this article.
This is the real deal and has me most interested "whodunnit?"
Timelines will be #1 in importance especially combined with the autopsy cause of death factor: torture, medicated, method? Forensics should reveal a ton, although the general public will never know for years in all probability. After discussions with friends the conclusion is the body in the dumpster and eventually the land fill is a 'warning and statement" killing for sure. This man had some incredibly sensitive information in his head and on paper without a doubt. Could the Wikileaks be a link to his ultimate demise?
I agree with almost all you said San Antonia Mark--not enough known to say for sure about the "warning and statement," but I wouldn't discount it either. Wikileaks? I'm not thinking so.
Another thought: Why isn't the FBI all over this? Offers of "advisers" to the investigation don't cut it. Why the lack of media coverage and virtually very few comments from top government officals? Makes curious people wonder...
FBI "waits" to be invited into a local crime with no "known" government connection or other required factors. But don't underestimate their activity now...they just keep a low profile.
I'm in agreement with your insight Radell.
BTW, the San Antonio Express News, now understand this is the major newspaper for south Texas, not one printed word on this story in today's issue.
Sounds about as kosher as it can get.
overall, some unique info provided, here; even tho it's sometimes challenging to work thru the author's limited understanding of how to write in the english language. thank you, anyway. i think i get the overall points.
@Just some guy: Feel free to read other people's work if you can't read mine. There are some great articles out there on this topic. I recommend James Fallows, in fact. He might be more your "literary style." :-)
where did he spend new years eve and with whom?
yes, i'd like to see the latest posts
Where are the most recent blogs? There is no page 2 etc. Had not seen the older ones and they were informative!
It is great pain in my heart when we lost one of oue National treasure.Our gratetude for your great servise to our country,even to the world.
It is very important to find who is behind his murder. Please come forward for this matter.
My 1st thought is,some one got all information, and use for that matter, and injected with something and drop off, and further...or it can go several angles...made a puzzle type...
However, whoever did that murder or participated for his death one way or other will not rest... Mr.J P W III great and wonderful compassionated wise man. Era like this we need people like that to be frotected.So why??????
God help to get the bottom of this unrighteousness act...
Truth will prevail, justice will serve...
what was in the briefcase,...money was not the issue
nearly one year ~ anything besides sleeping with the enemy?
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