A few tidbits I didn’t have time to get to in my 5 and 6 o’clock stories on the search for accused double murderer Beacher Hackney:

—I get the impression investigators are not as far behind Hackney as you might think.  I heard statements like “we’ll catch him” and “it’s just a matter of time.”  In my experience, investigators are careful not to make promises they can’t keep—- so confidence might be telling.

—Reward money increased to $45 K.

—I’ve seen an increase in reward money indicate different things.

—Sometimes I’ve seen it mean that the phone to the task force hotline has simply quit ringing.  They need to generate more leads.  Pump new life into the case.

—Sometimes I’ve seen fugitives captured not long after the reward is offered, usually by chance, but I’ve still seen it (Jeff Easley and Steven Branscomb are examples).  I’ve been told by some sources that an increase in reward money can also mean that investigators are close, needing that one tip to close the case or capture the fugitive—- although I can’t be sure if that’s the motive behind the increase here.

—Reward money is usually targeted toward someone close to the fugitive, such as a friend or family member.  $45 K is life changing money and investigators hope someone realizes that.

—I talked to the lead investigator with the Bath County sheriff’s office on the Beacher Hackney case.  He said he still averages one day per week on the case.

—I talked to the captain over investigations with the state police, he said the Beacher Hackney task force started with four full time state police investigators, now it’s down to one.

—That’s typical from what I’ve seen, but I found it an indication that the case still has at least some movement since, while it’s been more than two years since the shootings, state police left one full-time investigator in place.

I’ll check up with investigators soon to see if this media blitz yielded any fruit.