THE RACE CAR DRIVER AND THE MURDER
Connections between man charged in high-profile Washington murders and Savopoulos employee who delivered bundles of cash shortly before the murders emerge.
Key witness in gruesome murders revealed as professional race car driver with links to arrested suspect.
(UPDATE: Significant new details emerged on June 5. They are incorporated into this story)
Location of torched Porsche in church parking lot (left center) and residence of murder suspect Daron Wink (upper right) and former home of Jordan Wallace, Savopoulos’s personal assistant (lower left) (Photo: Image by Nate Thayer/Google Earth)
A quadruple murder of wealthy Washington businessman Savvas Savopoulos, his family and their housekeeper, who were stabbed, tortured, and bound with duct tape before their home was set on fire on May 14 has shaken the rich and connected of high society Washington. Their 10 year-old son, Philip, was singled out for particularly savage attack–tortured, stabbed, and his body doused with gasoline and set on fire, his body burned beyond recognition.
All eyes have been on who, until now, the unidentified “Witness #1″ is.
Here is a profile of Witness #1, Jordan Wallace, a 28 year-old aspiring professional race car driver from suburban Maryland who was hired to be Savopoulos’s ‘personal assistant” and “driver” only weeks before the murders.
Police say Jordan Wallace “lied” to them during interviews after the murders, but have not said he is a suspect. But Wallace has a lot of questions to answer.
By Nate Thayer
May 28, 2015
(No reproduction or quotation in full or in part without express written permission from the author)
Race car driver Jordan Wallace–the mysterious “Witness #1″ at the center of the high-profile quadruple murder of a millionaire Washing businessman and his family (Photo: Race Haus Motorsports)
Since the torture and unsolved quadruple murder of a wealthy Washington, D.C. family on May 14, the question has been: Who is the mysterious “Witness #1″ who police say “lied” to them during interviews?
“Witness #1″ is Jordan Wallace, a bright, ambitious, and well spoken 28-year-old rising professional race car driver from Prince George’s County, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. who was hired by Savvas Savopoulos only weeks before he, his family, and their housekeeper were murdered.
And an investigation has uncovered new evidence which for the first time reveals that Wallace has links to Daron Wint, 34, the man who was arrested after a nationwide manhunt and charged in the murders after his DNA was found on half eaten pizza in the burned Savopoulos home.
Documents and records show the two men have both lived in the same apartment complex in New Carrollton, Maryland, adjacent to Washington, D.C.
“We are aware of the connections between the two men,” a law enforcement official involved in the investigation said.
Further, that sprawling apartment complex is immediately adjacent to the church parking lot where the Savopoulos Porsche 911, stolen at the time of the murders, was ditched and torched in the hours after the quadruple murders.
Aerial view of church parking lot (l) and murder suspect Daron Wint’s home (upper right) and Jordan Wallace’s boyhood home (lower right) (Photo: Image by Nate Thayer/Google Earth)
Map shows the four addresses (R) that both Jordan Wallace and murder suspect Daron Wint have lived in recent years–all within one tenth of a mile. On left is the church parking lot where the Savopulos Porsche, which was stolen at the time of the murders, was abandoned and torched (see yellow and red highlight). The berm of weeds separates the church parking lot from the parking lot of the single apartment complex where all the above addresses are located. This is the first evidence that links the chief witness and employee of Savopoulos and the man charged in the murders (Photo: Image by Nate Thayer/Google Earth)
Jordan Wallace was hired by millionaire businessman Savvas Savopoulos as his “driver” and “personal assistant” in April, before the May 14 murders of Savopoulos, his family, and their housekeeper in their residence in the tony Woodley Park neighborhood in Northwest Washington.
But Jordan Wallace had met the Savopoulos family sometime in 2014 and Wallace had earlier coached the 10-year old Philip Savopoulos in competitive Go Kart racing, before Jordan Wallace was displaced by a professional Indy Car race driver as the boys racing coach in January.
In March, Wallace was fired from his job as the “Competition Director” at the Jessup, Maryland Autobahn Speedway in suburban Washington. It was there that Savopoulos and Jordan Wallace first met in 2014.
In April, Wallace “reached out to Savvas looking for work” and the wealthy Washington businessman hired Wallace in April.
Jordan Wallace in Annapolis, Maryland Photo: LinkedIn
Savvas Savopoulos, 46, his wife, Amy Savopoulos, 47; their 10-year-old son Philip and a housekeeper, Veralicia Figueroa, 57, were held hostage for 19 hours at their $5 million Washington, D.C. mansion nestled among embassies near the official residence of the U.S. Vice President, and tortured, bound while large amounts of cash was extorted from them, before they were stabbed, bludgeoned, and doused with gasoline and set on fire on May 14.
The couple and Figueroa were found in one room dead, bound with duct tape in chairs, and doused after having sustained blunt force trauma, police said.
10-year-old Philip Savopoulos was found in his bed burned beyond recognition having suffered stab wounds before being doused with gasoline and set afire. Police say Philip was tortured, perhaps in an attempt to get money out of his father. According to police documents, the fire appeared to be set, and largely limited to the young boy’s bedroom. Evidence suggests the 10-year old’s bed was soaked with an flammable liquid and the boy was found burned beyond recognition.
Jordan Wallace preparing for a race (Photo: Race Haus Motorsports)
In court affidavits, Washington Police say Jordan Wallace–who has not been publicly named until now–was “an employee of Mr. Savopoulos” who delivered a package of $40,000 in cash to the Savopoulos residence in the hours before the murders.
Now, Wallace finds himself the center of attention in a gruesome murder mystery that has gripped the elite social circles of the Washington elite.
Savopoulos and Wallace exchanged phone calls and text messages on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, records show–the last one from Savopoulos being made to Wallace at 11:54 a.m on Thursday, May 14.
It was the last incoming or outgoing call he made or answered before the fire and his murder, which police say occurred sometime between noon and 1:24 P.M Thursday, when Washington emergency personnel were dispatched after reports of a house fire.
Records show Wallace tried to call Savvas Savopoulos about 1:40 p.m. but got no answer.
Jordan Wallace and the Police
Jordan Wallace changed his story to the cops several times about his activities and interaction with Savopoulos in the 18 hours before the murders and when he made a money drop to the Savopoulos residence on the morning of their deaths, according to Washington police.
The cops are on the record saying Wallace “lied to the police”.
Police say Wallace changed his story several times about the money drop. “(He) changed his account of events regarding how (he) received the package, where (he) left the package, and when (he) was told to get the package,” according to Washington police in court affidavits.
After the murders on Thursday, May 14, Wallace first told cops that Savvas Savopolous had sent him a text Thursday morning asking Wallace to pick up a package at the Hyattsville, Maryland office of Savapoulos’s American Iron Works and deliver it to the Savapoulos residence. . But during questioning of Wallace on the Friday after the Thursday murders, police found a text message from Savopolous on Wallace’s phone from Wednesday night.
Copies of a series of text messages retrieved by police from Wallace’s black Apple Iphone with a brown wooden case were obtained by The Washington Post. They show that Wallace sent a text to Savvas Savopoulos at 8:30 p.m. May 13: “Got your message, I’ll call you once I get the package.”
Wallace than said he’d made a mistake, and that the request from Wallace to retrieve and deliver the package had been made Wednesday night.
Wallace also admitted he’d lied about how the money was packaged, according to the affidavit. In the first version of the interview Wallace provided to police, he said he’d collected the cash in a manila envelope from the bank with help from a co-worker.
Later, he admitted that the money was actually in a red bag, and that Wallace was given the bag by another AIW employee. Wallace said he then transferred it to a manila envelope in his car before placing the package in the front seat of a red sports car parked in the Savopoulos residence garage.
“As detectives continued to question (Wallace), (he) changed (his) account of the events regarding how (he) received the package, where (Wallace) left the package and when (Wallace) was told to get the package. When (Wallace) was questioned about a text message he had received from Mr. Savopoulos on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, (he) changed (his) statement. This text was addressed to (Wallace) and the text directed (Wallace) to meet the other employee on Thursday morning in Hyattsville to pick up the package. After being shown the text, (Wallace) admitted the text was accurate and (he) made a mistake about when (he) was first told to get the package. (Wallace) was also questioned about what the money was contained in when (Wallace) received the money from the other employee. (Wallace) admitted that (he) had lied when (he) stated the money was in a manila envelope when (he) received the money from the other employee,” reads the police affidavit used in charging papers during the arraignment of arrested suspect Daron Wint.
Wallace texted another person, who the police identify only as “Witness # 2”, a photo of a red bag with two bundles of money wrapped in white bank bands at 9:00 A.M Thursday morning before Wallace delivered the money to the Savopoulos home.
This investigation has identified “Witness #2 as Wallace’s girlfriend, Ashley Barrett, of Annapolis, Maryland. Barrett is listed as the “Director of Social Media and photography” at the Autobahn Speedway in Jessup, Maryland, where Wallace had worked before being fired in March, according to several employees of Autobahn Speedway.
On Thursday morning, immediately before the murders, police said Wallace texted and called several people, including Barrett, to whom he sent a photo of the red bag and money at 9 a.m. “Daaaamn,” Barrett responded. “I wonder how much it is?”
Wallace responded, “40,” to which the woman texted back, “Jesus,” according to copies of the text messages obtained by the Washington Post.
Barrett did not return several phone calls asking for comment. Autobahn Speedway employees confirmed she was Wallace’s girlfriend, but said a company wide memo has been distributed to all employees forbidding them from commenting publicly about Jordan Wallace or the murder case.
Photo of Jordan Wallace’s “Broke Racer Club”. From left to right: Jordan Wallace, Jordan Wallace’s girlfriend Ashley Barrett, and two other friends of Wallace and racing enthusiasts from Annapolis, Maryland (Photo: Broke Racers Club)
“Detectives interviewed a witness, hereafter referred to as W-2 (Ashley Barrett), which stated (she) received a text from (Jordan Wallace) on Thursday, May 14, 2015, at approximately 9:00 AM. (Barrett) opened the text for detectives to view. The text contained dialogue and photos of a red lined bag with what appeared to be two bundles of cash, one of which had visibly displayed, a white money wrap band. The other employee that provided the package to (Wallace) was interviewed and stated the money (the other employee) withdrew from Bank of America was wrapped in money wrappers from the bank and the money was separated in four bundles that totaled ($40,000.00) forty thousand dollars,” states the affidavit.
Other witnesses interviewed by the police say that Wallace was given four bundles of $100 denomination bills–not two which were shown in the text photo from Wallace to Barrett–which amounted to $40,000.
The statements by other employees of Savopoulos and other people referred to as “witnesses” , only raise more questions.
Wallace also lied about how he accessed the “red car” in Savopoulos’s garage.
“(Wallace) stated that Mr. Savopoulos instructed him to place the money on the seat of his red car which was parked in the garage on his house. (Wallace) stated that when he arrived at 3201 Woodland Drive, he went inside the garage and located a key to unlock the door to the car in the garage, and placed the envelope on the driver’s seat. After placing the envelope on the driver’s seat, (Wallace) locked the vehicle and exited the garage and closed the door to the same,” read the affidavit.
But during police interviews, “(Wallace) admitted that (he) lied when (he) stated the vehicle was locked, (Wallace) stated the vehicle was unlocked and that (he) left the envelope which contained the money in the vehicle.”
Jordan Wallace’s race car during competition in Richmond, Virginia in 2014 (Photo: Broke Racers Club)
At 10:26 a.m., according to police records obtained by the Post, Wallace texted Savopoulos: “Package delivered.”
But other records obtained by the police seem to exonerate Wallace from being at the crime scene when the murders took place, providing a strong alibi that he present when the murders took place at the Savopoulos house. Security cameras show Wallace was at a hardware store near a martial arts studio owned by Savopoulos in Virginia from 11:30 A.M until noon and cell phone records show Wallace was in Virginia at 1:34 P.M Thursday when firefighters arrived at the Savopoulos residence in Washington, D.C.—-placing Wallace 30 miles away from the crime scene.
Records show numerous phone calls between Savopoulos, a bank, an accountant, Wallace, a construction company executive and American Iron Works company in the morning Thursday before the fire, starting after 7 a.m. May 14 and ending with a call from Savopoulos to Jordan Wallace at 11:54 am, which was not answered. The fire was reported at 1:24 p.m.
Police records show Wallace attempted to call Savopoulous at 1:40 P.M., but no one answered. Records also show Wallace texted Amy Savopoulos on the afternoon of Thursday, May 14.
“Hey ms Amy are you ok, if so you need to get home I got a call that your house is on fire,” police records say he wrote.
By then, Savvas Savopoulos, his wife, Amy, their son Philip, and their houese keeper Vera Figueroa, were all dead.
Prior to the murders, Wallace was not a low-key figure.
During April and May, in the weeks before the murder, Wallace posted numerous pictures and comments on social media of him driving the millionaire businessman Savopoulos’s collection of high-end sports cars on the streets of Washington, D.C.
Most of the social media accounts of Jordan Wallace–including his Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and his personal websites–have been taken down in the days since the murders. But cached versions from immediately before the murders show Wallace posting numerous pictures of him driving Savopoulos’s various cars around Washington, D.C.
In recent weeks, Wallace, using the name racer_jordan, posted a series of pictures on his social media sites of him driving several of his new boss’s high-end sports cars on the streets of Washington, D.C.–one Mosser, the Porsche, a Bentley, an Audi, and a Range Rover–tagging them #livingthedream, #driverlife, #imkindofabigdeal, #iwannabeonyou, “brokeracerclub, and #morethanyoucanaffordpal”
Daron Dylon Wint, left, is charged in the murders of Savvas, Amy and Philip Savopoulos and their housekeeper, Vera Figueroa. They were killed in their Washington, DC mansion, which was then set on fire. (Heavy.com graphic. Photos Facebook)
But police are sure that the arrested Daron Wint did not act alone. And they implicitly suggest that Jordan Wallace was somehow linked to the crime scene.
The court affidavit charging Daron Wint, whose DNA was found on a half eaten Domino’s pizza crust at the Savopoulos home, stated “All four decedents were held captive by Mr Wint and others until the $40,000 was delivered to the Savopoulos residence. After the money was delivered the four decedents were killed.”
Jordan Wallace and the Porsche
By the time firefighters arrived at the house on Thursday afternoon, the package containing $40,000 and the couple’s blue Porsche, which was seen parked on the street at 10:30 A.M. that Thursday morning, was gone.
At about the same time that the Savopoulos residence was doused with gasoline and set on fire, their $200,000 2008 blue Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera was seen by witnesses at about 1:30 pm being driven erratically on New York avenue in Washington, D.C., headed towards Maryland, according to police.
The Savopoulos Porsche parked outside their residence: (Photo Metropolitan Police Department)
Wallace had a documented affection for the Savopoulos’s Porsche. The same Porsche which was stolen at the time of the murders and torched adjacent to Jordan Wallace’s childhood home, was the Porsche Jordan Wallace posted selfie photos driving the vehicle on his Instagram account in late April. In one photo of himself driving the Savopoulos’s Porsche before the murders, Wallace captioned it “Another day on the job. My office today is pretty nice!” #porsche #livingthedream
Photo of Savopoulos Porsche posted by Jordan Wallace on his Instagram page in April (Photo: Screen grab from cache of deleted Jordan Wallace Instagram account)
Photos of Jordan Wallace driving and outside Savopoulos’s Porsche (Photo: Jordan Wallace Twitter account)
The one man charged in the murders, Daron Wint, whose DNA was found on the crust of a half eaten Domino’s pizza amid the rubble of the burned Savopoulos residence, according to law enforcement. (Photo: Daron Wint Facebook page)
The Porsche was seen at about 1:30 pm being driven west on New York avenue “erratically by a black male, with short well-groomed hair, wearing a neon lime green construction vest,” according to the police affidavit.
Daron Wint has long dreadlocks.
Similar neon green vests, typically used at race tracks, were found in Savopoulos’s garage by police investigating the crime scene.
Four hours later, “At approximately 5:30 pm, Mrs Savopoulos’s vehicle was located in the rear of 8001 Annapolis rd, New Carrollton, Maryland, on fire,” said the Washington police.
The drive from the Savopoulos residence to the parking lot where the vehicle was torched is 14.7 miles or about 30 minutes driving time.
Savopoulos Porsche 911 on fire in church parking lot next to former homes of both Jordan Wallace and suspect Daron Wint (Photo: Screen grab from WBAL-TV)
There is no indication of where the blue 2008 Porsche 911 was for the three-hour interval between when it should have arrived at the St. Christopher Episcopal church parking lot, if that was the original destination, and when it was set on fire.
Aerial view of rear of St Christopher’s Episcopal church parking lot (upper left) and former home of Jordan Wallace (center right) in New Carrollton, Maryland (Photo: Image and captions Nate Thayer/Google Earth)
Location of torched Porsche in church parking lot (left center) and residence of murder suspect Daron Wink (upper right) and former home of Jordan Driver, Savopoulos’s driver (lower left) (Photo: Image and captions Nate Thayer/Google Earth)
An investigation of court documents and public records show the rear of the parking lot of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church at 8001 Annapolis Road, New Carrollton, Maryland, where the Porsche was set afire, is located immediately adjacent to the rear of the parking lot of the apartment complex where the Wallace family lived while Jordan Wallace was a teenager.
Records show that Wallace’s father, a retired police officer in Maryland, lived at 5303 85th Ave, New Carrollton, MD between February 2004 and October 2009–when Jordan Wallace would have been 17 to 22 years old. Records also show that Daron Wint previously lived at 5301 85th ave in New Carrollton–immediately next door to the former Wallace residence.
In addition, court documents charging Daron Wint with the Savopoulos murders list Daron Wint’s current home address as 5408 85th Avenue, T-2, Lanham, Maryland.
That apartment is registered to Wint’s sister, Samantha Wint. Records suggest she has lived there at least as of February, 2015. In addition, records show the Wallace family lived at 5313 85th ave apt # 11.
Records also show the Wallace family lived previously in another residence at the same location.
All those addresses are in the same sprawling apartment complex, a multi unit rental housing under the umbrella name of Carrollan Gardens and Carrollan Manor, where the family of Jordan Wallace also lived, according to records, from at least between 2001 and 2009.
In another link to the murder crime scene, the parking lot of that Carrollan Gardens and Carrollan Manor apartment complex is separated by a 30 foot wooded area from the rear of the St. Christopher Episcopal church parking lot where the stolen Porsche was found torched.
The Race Car Driver
Jordan Wallace Linkedin page detailing his status as “Competition Director & Company Spokesman” for Autobahn Speedway in Jessup , Maryland. The Autobahn Speedway fired Wallace for unknown reasons in March, 2015 (Photo: Screen grab of Jordan Wallace Linkedin page)
But friends and colleagues of Jordan Wallace insist that the personable young man could never have been involved in such a violent crime.
Jordan Wallace is a well spoken, bright, ambitious, colorful figure, according to friends and co-workers.
Wallace was Competition Director for the Jessup, MD based Autobahn Indoor Speedway–a 65,000 square-foot indoor go-kart facility in Jessup, Maryland, where he met Savvas Savopoulos and his 10 year-old son, Philip, who was an aspiring racing driver.
In 2013 Autobahn Speedway General Manager Bill Harris made Wallace the speedway’s first hire. “I told him I wanted him to be my media specialist,” Harris told the Capitol Gazette News in 2014. “He’s a natural.”
Wallace during a racing competition with his #23 stock car (Photo: JT Wallace Racing)
But Wallace was fired from the Autobahn Speedway in March 2015, and he “reached out to Savvas for a job”, according to a source close to the Savopoulos family and who knew Jordan Wallace, and Savvas Savopoulos hired Wallace as his “assistant” and personal “driver” in April.
When contacted yesterday, Autobahn Speedway’s Harris said he could not comment on why Wallace was let go in March.
Other acquaintances who knew both Wallace and the Savopoulos family say they had no indication that Wallace was other than an exuberant young man who loved racing cars.
“He is the nicest guy I have ever met in my life. It is impossible he was involved in these murders,” said Mike “Weedy” Weddell, who is active on the car racing circuit in the Northeast region of the U.S. and is a mentor to Wallace. “There is no chance he was involved in this. He is a 25 year-old kid having a good time. All he wants to do is race cars.”
Wallace (c) with some of his racing crew from the Race Haus Motor sports, an Annapolis company which Wallace founded with boyhood friends and racing enthusiasts in Annapolis. (Photo: Race Haus Motorsports)
Jordan Wallace in his racing suit (Photo: Race Haus Motor Sports)
“He is a super nice dude, always super excited. He loved what he did, “said Josh Menocal, owner of the Pure Board Shop in Annapolis, which sells skateboarding and snow boarding equipment. “He has been coming in here for a few years.”
Jordan Wallace had Financial Problems before the Murders
But others who had met Wallace with the Savopoulos family said Wallace talked of his frustration of not having sufficient funding to jump-start his racing career in the days before the quadruple murder.
“You know, if you don’t have a family or money behind you, it can be really tough,” Wallace said in a 2014 video interview he posted on his Vimeo account.
“I remember him saying ‘The only reason I am not racing is lack of money,’” said a person who knew both the Savopoulos family and Jordan Wallace from the Go Kart racing world. “Jordan was definitely bitter about it.” That conversation took place in early May, only days before the murders.
“I am starting to look for sponsorship for this new year. 2014 is going to be big for me…I am working with Autobahn Indoor Speedway of course. I am working with Arkam Motors out west running the carts. I am with Mad Karts out east running the Karts. I am looking to work with bigger sponsors to help me on my way up into pro racing. So I have my eyes set on the prize and I am ready to go out and really do it,” said Wallace in a video on his racing website in late 2013.
The Savapoulos Family and Car Racing
10 year-old Philip Savopoulos on the competitive racing circuit (Photo: Philip Savopoulos Facebook page)
Both Savvas Savopoulos and his 10-year-old son, Philip, had intense interest in the racing car circuit.
Savopolous who was a lawyer in addition to a businessman, was elected to the International Automobile Federation Court of Appeals in December, 2014. The IFA is a body that overseas Formula One racing worldwide. The International Court of Appeal Biography of Savopoulos reads: “Savvas P. Savopoulos is a prominent Washington, DC, businessman and member of the bar who….has a lifelong interest in, and participates in, motor sports.”
Both Savopoulos and his wife, Amy, owned a fleet of expensive sports cars.
But it was their son, 10 year-old Philip, who was the racing fanatic. And it was Philip’s interest in racing that resulted in Jordan Wallace meeting the Savopoulos family. “Savvas spoke of Jordan Wallace. He said Wallace was someone he had met earlier with Philip at the Kart track, but they had kind of moved on from him, ” said Paul Howard, of Ogden Racing Engines, a Florida based Formula One company. “Philip wanted to be involved in Formula One racing, and all Formula One racers start out on the Kart circuit.”
Wallace was the Competition Director for the Autobahn Speedway since 2013 and started a competitive Kart racing league in 2014 at the track. It was there, 30 miles from their home in Washington, that Savopoulos took his son regularly to race Go Karts. Wallace got to know Savopoulos at the Jessup Autobahn Speedway racetrack where the executive took his son regularly to compete and practice in tricked out go-kart racing. Friends and colleagues of the Savopoulos’s and Jordan Wallace say that Wallace coached Philip in Go Kart racing until the end of 2014.
But “once he knew that Philip really loved the sport and was serious, Savvas said ‘I want the best of everything–the best coach, the best Kart,’” said Jay Howard, an Indy Racing professional driver who lives in Indianapolis who Savopoulos hired as Philip’s coach in January 2015.
Savvas Savopoulos and his wife, Amy (Photo: Savvas Savopoulos Facebook page)
Philip regularly traveled the country on the professional Go Kart racing circuit.
In March of 2015, Wallace was fired by the Autobahn Speedway for reasons their General Manager, Bill Harris, declined to comment on. Employees of the 65,000 square foot racing venue have been told not to comment on any inquiries regarding Wallace.
One of Jordan Wallace’s racing mentor’s, Mike “Weedy” Weddell, a respected figure on the stock car circuit in the Northeast U.S., said “I had heard it was over Jordan not getting enough hours to work” and dismissed the suggestion that there was some kind of rift.
Regardless, Wallace asked Savapoulos for a job and was hired as his personal driver and “assistant” in April.
“Philip was a great kid with a great sense of humor. They were a great family. Always smiling, always happy,” said 10 year-old Philip’s racing coach Jay Howard, the professional Indy Car race driver and head of Motorsports Driver Development which trains young aspiring race drivers. “Once Savvas saw that Philip was committed to racing, he made contact through FIA with Praga Karting, where he bought Philip a Go Kart. They told him “if you need the best coach, you need to talk to Jay Howard. I met them in January, and Savvas hired me to coach Philip”
Indy Race professional driver Jay Howard and Philip Savopoulos. Jay Howard was hired as the 10 year-old Philip’s racing coach in January, 2015 (Photo: Jay Howard)
After Wallace was fired from his job at the Autobahn Speedway, he contacted Savopoulos in late March looking for a job. “Jordan was out of a job. The kid seemed really nice,” said one Savopoulos associate from the racing world who knew and had met Jordan Wallace. “Savvas said he got fired from his job and Jordan reached out to Savvas.”
Savopoulos hired Wallace in mid April to be his driver and personal assistant. One of Wallace’s first assignments was to drive the senior Savopoulos and Philip down to Mooreshead, North Carolina for a racing event which Philip participated in mid-April. Immediately Wallace began posting photographs of him driving the Savopoulos fleet of high-end sports cars and tweeting about his new job “Driving for a #DC CEO”.
Screen grab of Jordan Wallace’s Instagram page depicting Savvas Savopoulos’s $700,000 Mosler sports car (Photo: Jordan Wallace Instagram page)
In 2014, Wallace started an online community called the Broke Racers Club which says “we are a motor sports lifestyle brand that represents the real racers. Racing is our lives, join us in our pursuit of Power, Glamour, and Glory!”
On the Broke Racers Club Facebook page, Wallace posted a photo of him test driving the Savopoulos ultra high-end race car: “BRC President/Owner Jordan Wallace got to drive this BEAST today! That is a $700k Mosler MT900s, made is the USA, it is basically a LMP car for the street. The owner wanted a Race Car driver’s opine of the car ‘It’s SCARY as HELL in the most fun Badass way!’ Sometimes even Broke Racers get to live rich, stay passionate and your dreams will be within reach!”
On 17 April, Wallace posted to Twitter a photo of him driving Savopoulos’s rare $700,000 Mosler sports car. He captioned it “My 9-5 ain’t too bad, this thing may be the baddest car on the streets of DC, and today it’s my office!” On Instagram, Wallace wrote at 2:45 pm on April 17 on under the moniker @racer_jordan “My office for today!” #mosler #mt900s #livingthedream #racecar #madeintheusa #morethanyoucanaffordpal” (Photo: Jordan Wallace Facebook page)
Davvas Savopoulos’s rare $700,000 Mosler sports racing car owned by Savvas and driven by Jordan Wallace (Photo: Jordan Wallace Facebook page)
On 17 April, Wallace posted to Twitter a photo of him driving Savopoulos’s rare $700,000 Mosler sports car. He captioned it “My 9-5 ain’t too bad, this thing may be the baddest car on the streets of DC, and today it’s my office!” On Instagram, Wallace wrote at 2:45 pm on April 17 on under the moniker @racer_jordan “My office for today!” #mosler #mt900s #livingthedream #racecar #madeintheusa #morethanyoucanaffordpal”
On his social media sites he captioned another picture of him driving the Savopoulos Range Rover “Got a Job! My office ain’t to bad either” #livingthedream #thankyousupporters #blessed” (Photo: Jordan Wallace Instagram account)
On a picture of a third car, the Savopoulos’s Bentley, Wallace wrote “My office has many leather-bound seats and smells of rich mahogany #livingthedream #DC #driverlife #imkindofabigdeal #iwannabeonyou” (Photo: Jordan Wallace Instagram account)
Wallace has a Sports Car Club Of America (SCCA) Competition License, several corporate sponsors, and was openly looking for funding for his Annapolis based race car team in recent weeks. He was named Rookie of Year for Arena Car Racing USA last year by one car racing organization.
Jordan Wallace has his own racing team, J.T. Wallace Racing, and a company, Race Haus Motorsports, which have racing cars and a support team of mechanics, and management. “Arena Racing USA is what we are called,” said Jordan Wallace in 2014. “Everybody has been really supportive……. I have a great team behind me now. I am ready to go out and represent.”
Photo posted by Jordan Wallace car racing manager, Blake Fisher, of J T Wallace Racing,on Fisher’s Facebook page February 2015
In a biography published on his Race Haus Motorsports website, Wallace is described as: “”Jordan “Driver GITS” Wallace is a 26-year-old racing driver who hails from Annapolis, MD. He is the marketing and PR specialist at Race Haus and also the supreme motivating force behind everything Race Haus does, he’s like Ray Lewis without the dancing… ok maybe there is some dancing! Jordan is the team’s in house professional driver. He is a graduate of Skip Barber Racing Academy and has karting championships, road course and rally experience, and carries a National SCCA Competition license and a National NASA Competition License. Jordan is an extremely competitive individual with aspirations of taking his racing career and the Race Haus team to the highest levels of motor sports.”
“Race Haus Motorsports (RHM) started in 2013 when a few guys from the great state of Maryland decided to take their passion and talents for motor sports and manifest it into a full racing team and motor sports company,” according to Wallace on his website.
On May 3, Philip Savopoulos was racing at the “Superkarts! USA Fikse Wheels Pro Tour” in Phoenix Arizona when he got into a minor accident and sustained a sprained knee, cuts and bruises, and a concussion. The ten-year old was still recovering from that incident at home in Washington when he was murdered.
The Murder
The affidavit by police for charging Daron Wint for the murder said the killings “required the presence and assistance of more than one person.” None of the 5 people detained with Wint were charged with any crimes and all were released.
Daron Wint, who once worked for American Iron Works, one of the Savopoulos family’s business, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder for their deaths. But Wint is not the only suspect in the case, according to the Washington prosecutor Deborah Hines. “There had to be some connection between Wint (who) worked there, like, 10 years ago so there has to be some connection to someone who Wint knows that’s working there now that was able to give the details to know about the money and that they could get the money delivered to the house,” said Hines.
Fire on the afternoon of May 14, 2015 at Savopoulos home in Northwest Washington, D.C. hours after the quadruple murders, according to authorities. (Photo: Screen grab WBAL-TV)
“2014 is going to be really big for me. I’ve got my eyes set on the prize and I am ready to go out and really do it,” Wallace said on a 2014 You Tube video he produced to promote his racing career. Wallace, under the name JTWallace Racing, even had a professional manager, Blake Fisher.
In February, 2015, Fisher posted a message “Jordan Wallace is back!”.
The following month, Wallace was fired from Autobahn Speedway. In April, he was hired by Savvas Savopoulos.
Wallace signs autographs on the racing circuit (Photo: JT Wallace Racing)
Weeks later, on May 14, Savopoulos and his family were murdered. And Jordan Wallace gave varying versions of the story when recounting his involvement that day. Since, Wallace has effectively disappeared from public view.
“When you find out you just delivered $40,000 to a killer that murdered an entire family, how do you not tell the truth the first time?” asked one investigator.
That Jordan Wallace lied to police about the mysterious drop off of $40,000 in cash just prior to the murders has raised suspicions that he had more knowledge and involvement than he is letting on.
After being interviewed by police in the immediate aftermath of the murders, Jordan Wallace has deleted most of his social media and online accounts and disappeared from public view.
Attempts to reach Wallace, his mother, father, and girlfriend by phone have gone unanswered.
Seven of his close friends who were contacted politely refused to comment when reached by phone this week, but several did speak up defending Wallace, insistent that it was unfathomable he had anything to do with the murders. Several of Jordan Wallace’s friends and colleagues in the racing car world, politely declined to comment.
Acting District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Vincent Cohen said outside the courthouse that prosecutors’ “work is not done” and that they “intend to unseal additional search warrants in the coming days.”
“I am ready for this. I am never scared. I am always ready for the moment,” wrote Wallace last year about his racing career. “We are just going to take this and take it to another level.”
I’ve been following this case closely. Could you tell me where you found the information that Wint and Jordan Wallace lived at the same complex? I was under the impression that the dads lived there, and not necessarily at the same time.
(Documents and records obtained by this correspondent show the two men have both lived in the same apartment complex in New Carrollton, Maryland, adjacent to Washington, D.C.)
Also, I haven’t seen this law enforcement statement anywhere else. Was this leaked to you by law enforcement or are you able to give us more information on where you learned this? (“We are aware of the connections between the two men,” a law enforcement official involved in the investigation said.)
Thanks!
This one is easy – Jordan probably never lived at that address and the fact their fathers lived in the same community is just a mere coincidence – and Mr. Thayer is reaching in a HUGE way… and ruining someones life in the process.
EXCEPT that a man fitting Jordan’s description (short hair, athletic, wearing a hoodie) was caught on the Church’s security camera that was adjacent to the apartment complex that BOTH Jordan and Daron’s family lived in! Daron wasn’t the figure on the camera film, because he has long hair (dreadlocks!)
Also, MOST find it suspicious that a personal assistant (albeit one who had been working for the family only a month) would take pictures of the cash that he first said was in a manila envelope, but was later seen in red bank bags. He then proceeded to take pictures of the cash and tell his girlfriend (W#2) the amount, before delivering it!!!!!
What was most damning (in my opinion) is how QUICKLY Wallace found out about the fire at the family home, when he was supposedly 30 minutes away! He texted Mrs. Savopoulos and asked her if she is okay, because he heard that her house was on fire! He claimed that an Ironworks’ worker told him this information. The family home is 8-9 miles (13-20 minutes) away from Mr. Savopolous’ work! Most WORKING people don’t have access to police/fire scanners, nor are they clued to the TV for late breaking news!!!!
Mr. Thayer is a journalist and research and reporting on subjects of interest is his career. He also resides in the area where this crime took place and probably has numerous sources for information. He has discovered information that could potentially provide a link between Wint and Wallace. Wallace has clearly been a suspect all along if you read the search warrants that were executed on his vehicle, phone and phone records.
Mr. Wallace’s behavior has been inconsistent and he immediately shut down his social media, websites and went into hiding. Did anyone report that he attended the funeral for the Savopolous family? Other employees were in attendance including the other housekeeper.
This crime was cruel and hideous and anyone with information that can contribute to solving this crime should come forward.
Liese is totally right! If you know something pertinent to solving the case, you have a duty to come forward. Hiding behind your keyboard attesting to the absolute innocence of Jordan Wallace sounds more like his racing fan club who may even have some snippet of vital information they are masking to protect him. Naturally, he is a suspect… until he is completely ruled out…. and, to my mind, an alleged accomplice! I do not even trust the AIW Accountant for the manner of which this business was conducted by entrusting so much ca$h to a new hire chauffeur without contacting law enforcement or other family members to check out the residence!!
Other questions I have are for BOA for releasing cash without putting it into a money bag?? Wallace’s second explanation was the funds were handed to him by the accountant from his pockets to a red bag. First a manila envelope… then a red bag?? Oh, please… why lie in a murder investigation… the authorities will find out everything eventually and it points a finger at the liar.
No way is this guy (not a kid at 28) not involved in the home invasion plot, imo!!
LE has stated they know of Wallace’s whereabouts. Perhaps, he currently is under protective custody?? Or, maybe his family or girlfriend have helped to place him under lock and key since no one has seen him in public.
It was already reported, Wallace did not attend any of the funeral services. And, he was not still retained as an employee at AIW after this senseless atrocity!!
On another note…. I personally do not require any kind of responses to any my questions directly from Nate Thayer.
And, I find it rather overreaching to even inquire of the author to ‘demand’ replies to any questions. It has been noted some ignorant posters somehow imagine they should be instantaneously privy to all things involved in a private police investigation! Part and parcel of Clue Bird’s spot on analysis of the Millennial Generations narcissism of which I would necessarily concur.
So, to you who question the authenticity of the research and require proof from the author, let me tell you that are lucky for whatever information you have even gained thus far!
So, be patient… unless, of course, you have a horse in this race? And, THAT would bring about a whole other bailiwick as to your level of interest in the research findings published by a real investigative journalist and renowned author who is definitely not some part-time blogger conspiracy theorist!!
This has been a civil blog and hopefully will continue to be.
Outstanding, comprehensive investigative reporting, Nate Thayer! I second others who compliment you for writing the most complete, factual story about this horrific, heinous crime.
I too have been captivated by this story, astonished at the level of violence and the hours of horror and torture those four beautiful souls had to endure. My interest now is the arrest of of accomplices, one of whom I feel will be Jordan Wallace.
They lies Wallace told investigators at the very beginning seem to reveal Wallace’s attempt to deceive law enforcement of his involvement. I see motive in Wallace, motive, access and knowledge. Wallace had the inside knowledge and, had could have been the brain behind the planning. Wint provided the muscle to subdue everyone in the house, and capability of torturing Phillip to extort a resistant Savvas and then kill without regard. His well documented propensity for violence reveals Wint’s monstrous nature.
The only thing I did not see in Nate’s story but, that I caught in a local report, online, was that Wint’s half-brother had also been employed at American Iron Works and, left his job there in 2009. The story referenced a law enforcement source who said Wint’s half brother was investigated as a possible accomplice. But it does seem that Wallace had to be involved. It makes sense. Wallace is the only one who could have inside knowledge about the large amount of money earmarked for the martial arts studio and, would know the address of the family’s residence, and who would likely be at home and when. I just want to see all who were involved brought to justice for the destruction of an entire family, for a mere $40K…..for money.
Excellent article! I believe W1 has given conflicting statements about when he received instructions from Savvas because he was communicating with the suspect via a throw away phone and confusing conversations. One of the most telling pieces of evidence to me is the picture of a red lined bag containing 2, not 4, bundles of cash… someone’s share? Also, a person matching the description of W1 was driving the Porsche erratically near the scene @ the time the fire was set. But a call was made from W1’s phone from 30 miles away @ the same time. I believe the suspect had fled the scene earlier and was in possession of W1’s phone and made the call to Savvas,
Connect the dots and complete the axiom MOM: motive, opportunity, method. The facts as they are coming out link Daron Wint to Jordan Wallace. By virtue of their neighborhood, residences, ethnicity they know probably know each other. Envy, jealousy could also factor in, because Jordan had been young Philip’s racing coach, until he was replaced by “the best” professional coach that money could buy! The “off” aspect of this story is un-merited trust! I can’t imagine Mr. Savopoulos hiring someone (who was recently fired and dismissed as his son’s coach) to manage his personal affairs and drive his fleet of expensive (one car alone cost $700,000) vehicles, unless something more had entangled them! The family was ambushed around 6 pm, while the dogs were let out and there were no signs of forced entry, furthermore supporting the theory “of an inside job.” Lastly, both Wint & Wallace seem to be from the same neighborhoods/social-economic class and could have easily been riled up over the current rhetoric of White privilege and how it is keeping people poor and disadvantaged. Or, Mr, Savopoulos could have been involved in some shady business practices and used gullible, young men to do his dirty work or to help launder his money.
FWIW, when Jordan Wallace’s racing website [http://www.jtwallaceracing.com/contact-1/] was up, it had a section about his upcoming races/competitions. I recall there were two events listed, both in California, in June/July this year. I imagine racing on the left coast will cost you a penny, especially when you live on the right coast, and your girlfriend wants to go, too.
Yes, envy, jealousy and “riled up over the current rhetoric of White privilege and how it is keeping people poor and disadvantaged”. Despite Wint’s former attorney’s claim that he could never have committed this crime, he has threatened to kill several times, bragged of being good with a knife and found with a 2′ machete behind a dumpster near Savvas’ business. Probably unemployed and unemployable, desperate for money and having mental health issues.
Two racing dates for Wallace in June/July time frame in CA account for his desperate need for funds. Not only would he have taken his girlfriend, but also his ‘team’. Desperate for money is one thing but resorting to brutal premeditated murder, believing he (they) could outsmart law enforcement doesn’t make sense.
Linking these two individuals with sufficient evidence for an indictment may be a difficult task for law enforcement.
I hope that the police/FBI are scrutinizing all the cell phone records (the Savopolous’ and the hired help especially). Savvas was an attorney, besides being a successful businessman, and like any attorney, he probably was a wordsmith. I would check each first letter of all of the words he texted/spoken to see if they spell out a name or contain hidden messages. I wonder if they can trace the disposal phones (the kind you buy at Walmart), back to the buyer? If Savvas had Jordan’s cell # in his phone, they could find the number and see when his last phone activity occurred, where his calls pinged from.
The most PUZZLING piece of this story is how OPEN the family seemed to be with the hired help. Most wealthy people have a distinct line to where the help is never to cross. Some go as far as instructing the help to never speak, unless spoken to, and to enter by the rear of the house or through service doors. I can’t imagine allowing someone that I recently hired to have the kind of access (allowing Jordan access to his cars/garage/money/family) in such a short time after being hired!
Does anyone know how Mr. Savvas acquired his wealth? He seemed to have had his fingers in many different enterprises. Not only was he President/CEO of American Iron Works; he started a hedge fund/investment firm in Puerto Rico (where he was in the process of permanently relocating to); was a Financial Adviser to a Law Firm; and recently financed a Martial Arts Business. It seems like too much responsibility/work for one person!
Perhaps, I have watched too many episodes of “American Greed”, but I wonder if he could have been laundering money for drug cartels? He seemed to INVEST large sums of money in luxury items, big ticket items (expensive cars/art/properties) that drug dealers, unsavory characters would have trouble acquiring on their own without established credit.
One such launderer lived in Florida and was a minister/fireman of all people! His scheme didn’t unravel UNTIL the houses he bought/rented out to the drug kingpins started to depreciate in value and wouldn’t sell. Bankruptcy mortgage notes; car leases; bills of sales, all pointed back to him!
Lastly, why wasn’t Daron’s Wint’s brother charged (and kept in jail) for being an accessory to a crime? Wasn’t he the driver of the big box truck that was hauling around the $40,000? Wasn’t the women found in the truck (were their names ever released) also involved in buying multiple money orders in large sums? Why haven’t we heard more about them????
Police having to walk a high wire with the unfavorable press. They are sitting on a powder keg with Al Sharpton ready to join the attorney and ignite riots.
“Most wealthy people have a distinct line to where the help is never to cross. Some go as far as instructing the help to never speak, unless spoken to, and to enter by the rear of the house or through service doors.”
Lol…..are you referring to slavery??? True, there should be boundaries and expectations like any employer-employee relationship and I’m sure there were here. Which is why I don’t believe SS would have ever asked Jordan Wallace to deliver $40,000 under normal circumstances. Clearly, these weren’t normal circumstances.
No, Mamamia, this observation has been told to me by relatives, friends, & workers in the service industry! One of my college boyfriends told me how degrating it was to be called ” the bug man” when he worked for Orkin Pest Control. Another friend (a home remodeled) told me how he and his workers were instructed to not use the house bathroom, but to drive to the nearest gas station! He was redoing a kitchen. The most outlandish example is a billionaire who resides near the city where I work. All domestic help, contractors are made to sign a form stating that they will not speak directly to the family, and can only talk when answering questions asked by the house manager!
I believe both ‘suspects’ had throw away phones that they used to communicate with each other. Savvas had been taking Philip to the go-cart track for some time and Wallace had been coaching him until January when a professional was hired. The three of them had a common interest in cars and racing and Wallace had licenses specific to driving race cars. I would think Savvas could have opened a lot of doors for Wallace. The Savopoulos family appear to have been very comfortable in their environment and neighborhood so much so that they didn’t engage the security system and had a $700,000 Mosler in the garage with the garage door open. Savvas’ company was instrumental in building several vast structures in DC and also had gov’t contracts. I haven’t read anywhere that Savvas was moving permanently to Puerto Rico only that he had accepted a job there. As far as Wint’s brother and other accomplices, law enforcement probably has them under constant surveillance monitoring their every move and communication. They will eventually be charged.
Leise, you stated that you haven’t read anywhere that the Savvas was moving permanently to Puerto Rico, but that he had accepted a job there. My source can be seen in Carol Joynt’s article entitled “The Darkness and The Light” that appeared in the “NewYorkdiary.com.
An excerpt from the article states
“News reports said Savvas had another business Sigma Investment Strategies, a hedge fund based in Puerto Rico, and the family considered pulling up stakes in DC and relocating to the Carribean Island as their home.” The article described the fear that has permeated the Washington DC elite since the murders and how that community still had their annual Garden Party admist this tragedy. It also revealed that the Woodley Park neighborhood (where the Savopoulos’ resided) had their own private security patrol, that all the neighbors pay extra for.
Perhaps this is why Savvas left the garage door open and the security system turned off.
Thank you for bringing to my attention the Carol Joynt article. I have read many articles about this tragedy but had not come upon Carol’s.
You are most welcome!
I am baffled over the fact that this Wallace man has not been arrested for muder and conspiracy to murder. He was the main person with all the information and knowledge of the whereabouts and money matters of Savvas Savapolous. I surmise that he was especially jealous of little Philip because his dad had all the resources to get his son the best go karts and coaches, hence he was the one tortured the most. Wallace also claimed on his web sites that he had no family or anyone to back him up financially, period. He loved all the exotic cars, money and power Savapolous had and went as far as to take a plethora of pictures with all Savapolous’ cars, even racing them. I doubt Savapolous would have liked the way Wallace was depicting himself on social media with all of his bosses posessions. Wallace has so many connections to these murders from envy, money, greed and even his association with Wint. I hope the Washington police will do their job and stop dragging their feet and already charge Wallace with murder. Enough already. This family deserves justice.
I agree with you Iris, but getting enough evidence on Wallace is going to be tedious, because his alibi panned out. The other nuance about him is that he is a son of a retired cop. He probably learned through stories from his Dad on how to destroy key evidence and how to not leave any incriminating clues.
Another egregious observation is how the mainstream media has totally ignored reporting Wallace’s race and ethnicity! From his photographs, he appears to be a light skin African American or Mulatto. Where is the outrage and demand for justice from seeing innocent human beings and their personal property ignited, similar to what was seen in Ferguson Missouri, NYC, LA & Baltimore during the riots?!? One pizza owner in Baltimore reported running for his life as his business was being torched despite his plywood barricaded doors/windows. Young people (he called “kids”) doused him with lighter fluid as he was running to his car asvthey were throwing matches at him!!!! When asked why he thought they looted, burned, destroyed, his response was “because it is fun for them!”
In 1952, Kurt Vonnegut wrote a book called “Player Piano.” A novel describing the dystopia of automation and the great conflict it creates between the wealthy upper class, and the lower classes. Sixty three years later, in 2015, are we seeing signs that this scenario is upon us? Are machines, automation to blame? Or is it the result of corrupt politicians who have created this big economic and racial divide?
The “Have Nots” are turning into savages and no town’s citizens are safe nor immune anymore! People are being followed home from malls/public places because they drive expensive vehicles or wear fancy clothes and jewelry. They are ambushed in their garages, taken hostage in their houses, during daylight!!! For this reason, I seldom shop in malls or wear my good stuff when I am out and about.
If there is any good that can come out of this senseless tragedy, it would be for law abiding citizens to realize the dangerous times we live in and to be viligiant in taking precautions to protect yourself and those you love! Every family should have a code word that they can use to alert themselves & others when they are in grave danger.
I’m just catching up on news of this tragedy, which has my rapt attention because I live nearby. But I am just reading up now since I’ve been on vacation up until this week. I am haunted by the senseless murders and especially of the news of a 10 year old boy suffering, with his parents so heartrendingly close by. This is a case that must be solved. That said, I was utterly disturbed by the obviously deeply-held beliefs you’ve expressed here and elsewhere. Shame on your for using this tragedy to push your repulsive bigotry and anti-“have not” sentiments. Referring to “the have-nots” as “savages”, asking the media to pinpoint the race of a key witness (not even yet a suspect), using the outdated phrase “mulatto” (says a lot about your upbringing. I sure do hope you’re not raising your own bigoted children). I sure do hope your views, the strange bigotry and even glee at “piling on” men of color and poorer folks, isn’t shared by most of my community. Wow. Just wow – “mulatto”? This quote and many others underscores one reason for the odd sense of gleeful self-importance in many of your comments as we try to piece together what happened. Seriously, you call him a “mulatto”? Do you still call black people “coloreds”, too? You disgust me.
When you say: “Another egregious observation is how the mainstream media has totally ignored reporting Wallace’s race and ethnicity! From his photographs, he appears to be a light skin African American or Mulatto. Where is the outrage and demand for justice from seeing innocent human beings and their personal property ignited, similar to what was seen in Ferguson Missouri, NYC, LA & Baltimore during the riots?!?”
That’s just rich. Someone has to call you out on your racism. It says a lot about this community that no one is pointing out how you routinely have bigoted gems like the above in your posts, or outright criminalize the poor with your opining about the “savage” “have-nots” now being riled up by the media and coming after your preciously stupid existence. Would you feel stupid if we find out this guy was a patsy in a larger scheme? If this was the work of organized crime and the family’s associates were mere pawns put into place? Would you renounce all you said about black men and “mulattos” and poor people? Probably not. People like you never do. Interesting that you mention Ferguson and Baltimore. A cvs is torched after young men are gunned down, and you use it to reaffirm your own racism under the guise of “Concerned Citizen (Of Means)”. In the last two weeks. o less than 7 black churches have been burned to the ground across the south, have you bothered to learn anything about that? Is THAT even on your radar? Of course not. You and your ilk disgust me.
Attitudes like yours are what criminalize the very existence of poor people in this country, and people of color, especially when those two traits intersect. People with privilege and means should, at the very least, not exacerbate the harsh reality that the MAJORITY of our fellow constituents now live. Attitudes like yours are why people of color or less wealthy people are initially wary or keep us at arms length even if we profess to help. The reality is that most people are only a few missed paychecks away from being in the same straits of the “have not” category. Consider yourself out of the ordinary if you have family backing and a financial safety net. I know I did/do, and it’s not because I’m superior in any way to people who have less. My family just had a few more breaks going generations back. As someone in the legal field, I can tell you there is far more brazen theft going on by privileged folks in the financial sector and even the government sector, with far lighter sentences. Most poor folks are doing the best they can with minimum wage jobs and no benefits, and are victims of crime (that do not get this level of attention, ever) far more often and at a higher rate than those of us privileged to live in safer neightborhoods like Woodley. So stop your shameless fear-mongering. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Take a long hard look in the mirror. We don’t need lunacy and bigoted zealotry like yours to help solve this case.
-Concerned Woodley Park citizen.
“Attitudes like yours are what criminalize the very existence of poor people in this country, and people of color, especially when those two traits intersect.”
Unlike you Samuel, I didn’t come from privilege, NOR do I have the GUILT that you seem to have, feeling the need to defend your station in life.
I was born into abject poverty, in a “checkerboard” neighborhood, where some of us who worked hard, educated ourselves, “ROSE ABOVE OUR RAISIN”. As a middle age woman, I am DAMN proud about where I started and where I am today!!!
So don’t go lecturing me about poor people and not knowing their struggles, because unlike you, I LIVED it!!! I was a single Mother for 10 years, who worked 2-3 jobs, to make ends meet because I was too proud to take government assistance, nor did I want to subject my daughter to section 8 housing!!!!! I also have a child who is mixed, so I know all about racial tensions and that PREJUDICE occurs amongst all races, classes, and creeds! I am also proud to say the my daughter BENEFITED greatly from attending our city’s Salesian’s Boys & Girls Club during her summer breaks, when she was a child-teenager! She has always been “color blind” and because of her life experiences, she has friends from many nationalities, cultures, and countries!!!!
My comments about Wint (& the others) being savages, had nothing to do with their RACE Einstein, but everything to do with the brutality of their crimes!!!!! Regardless, if they were “hired thugs” as you allege, NO ONE deserved to die in the inhumane ways, that those four victims did that fateful day!!!!!
Interesting, how you took an old post of mine, and instantly LABELED me a racist! I am not racist, but I am ANGRY with how the liberal media in this country and the people in the White House strategically pick what they want to report, or have press conferences about!!!!
Where is their outcry of the NUMEROUS murders that occur every day in Chicago? You don’t see public figures going there to comfort the families or to root out the criminal element or to build better schools with free room/board that the inner city children could benefit GREATLY from. No, they remain marginless, voiceless, because their stories don’t matter to the political oligarchs who exploit the weak, when it benefits them!!!!
Yes, I am sadden by the deaths down in Charleston and I am angry that the shooter’s family and his closest friend did not take the initiative, or assume any responsibility in getting him PROFESSIONAL help!!!
The outpouring of the GRACE, MERCY, & FORGIVENESS that the victims families in Charleston displayed to the world is something that I will never forget!!! If ever there was a display of Christian love and peace, it was demonstrated by them!!!!
I too want to see justice SERVED and I also believe that the crime involved many entanglements, that will shock us all!
Samuel, This thread and another are quite long. The issues of race, classism, and bigotry have all been brought up, by a few of us. I know because I was one of them. However, there is free speech and people are free to say what they like unless the owner of this blog wishes to censor contributions, or the offender experiences sudden enlightenment – these types of misguided thoughts and opinions will be echoed from time to time. I decided to choose to stop reading such comments, and to focus instead on the judicial process, what little info LE is releasing and what the timing may mean (if anything) and meditating on the Savopoulos daughters being given unconditional love and support from their grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins, friends, and the community. We all want justice for these victims and their families. Unfortunately some misguided people will use these heinous murders to espouse their prejudices.
Was the church where the vehicle was left the same church Jordan Wallaces mother worked at? And why are none of the news networks privy to the fact that Wallace and Wint used to live next door to each other? Arrest the wanna be racecar driver, wanna be millionaire already. By the way Nate…your investigative work is outstanding and quite impressive.
Keep up the good work.
ditto…
What is written in this piece is by far and away the most intellectually provocative and comprehensive analysis of this case shown on public record. I watched a snippet of Nate Thayer’s interview on ‘Inside Edition’ and was fortunate to find a link to his website.
Kudos to the ‘genuine article’…. Mr Thayer is a true investigative journalist and outstanding author.
Hey, I have been following this story with great empathy for the Savopoulos family. Like someone commented above sometime ago, the cops probably know like the rest of the 95% we don’t. If Wint and Wallace are buddies, which is obvious, then i guess the phone records prior to the murder would indicate the were talking. Given the way Wint has been nabbed so dumbly, i guess you are probably going to get more dumb blunders by more perps. They would not have conspired all this over the phone, and so phone calls ant text messages evidence is limiting. Wallace alibi should be scrutinized second after second after dropping the money, I have a feeling he did it.
They likely used disposable burner phones to communicate. However, there may be some originating calls which started up with their mobile devices before the horrible murder plot was put into high motion.
If law enforcement can find any solid evidence leading to a link between Wint and Wallace they both will be living in a prison lockup for the rest of their days. Prison inmates do not tolerate brutal child killers very well.
This case is probably much further along than the Attorney General is willing to share. It appears as though this investigation under lock and key given all of the special agencies involved.
Could any criminal be more depraved and stupid at the same time? D.C. would be the worst place on the planet to commit a crime of this magnitude and not get captured…. no matter how long it takes!
This is without a doubt the most comprehensive analysis of this case. Phenomenal work.
Contradictory statements about what he did with respect to the money certainly are suspicious. If any communication can be found between Wallace and Wint, that fact would remove any “reasonable doubt” as far as I am concerned.
If Wallace is implicated, perhaps he wanted the money, but did not realize what the fate of the family and housekeeper would be at the hands of his accomplice and any other persons involved. Savopoulos had already been helpful to him, giving him a job driving expensive cars, and might have continued to do so in the future. Savopoulos had hired Wallce as his own driver even after replacing him as racing tutor to the boy, If Wallace acted against the family he was extremely shortsighted as well as envious and larcenous. The brutality of the outcome, even if not part of his initial conscious plan, was foreseeable, so he is culpable for it.
I hope all involved receive fair trials and punishment suited to the crimes they have committed.
Finally, I would like to commend Mr. Thayer for his investigative work and publication of this enlightening story. It is the best I have seen on this series of tragic events.
I wonder why no one so far (hint* hint* Nate) has FOCUSED on the auction? According to a police source and Gutierrez (the maid), Savopoulos was going to use the cash ($40,000 ?) to buy items for his martial arts center that he planned to open the next day in Chantilly, Virginia. From this bit of information, it would be interesting to know when the auction was taking place and when the money was placed in a safe/or withdrawn? Only the Accountant (or the Maid) could answer these questions.
I believe it is an important aspect of Wallace & Wint’s motive! To have a valid reason and timeline for Wallace to pick-up the cash and then to deliver it to Savvas. Perhaps the wrinkle occurred when Savvas had to cough up the safe combination to his accountant. To convince him/her that it was okay to get into the safe to remove the cash.
A blogger on a different site (who has kept an ear to the Local TV news) reported that little Philip’s foot was severed from his body and that he was stabbed 50 times before his bed was set on fire! The cruelty and evilness of this barbaric act is beyond comprehension!
Lastly, EVERYONE should take personal defense classes! The most important thing to remember is that once a perpetrator takes you from point A to point B, your chances of survival decreases by 50%!
The first thing that Mrs. Savopoulos and her maid should have done was to start screaming and breaking the windows to alert outsiders that something was amiss inside. You need to psych yourself up to start FIGHTING/RESISTING right away! Use the element of surprise back on the assailants!
I pray that Philip did not suffer the injuries you mention.
Savvas was accomplished in martial arts. When psychopaths have invaded your home, holding your family and employee against their will – there isn’t much your martial arts skills can do. Savvas may have tried to fight back but the robbery murderers were torturing his son, wife, maid, and he was over powered. Since the violence and decimation was focused mostly on little Philip, common sense dictates we have to ask: Who hated Philip so much s/he would viciously torture and set afire, while alive? What kind of perpetrator would sadistically kill a child in such a manner? Philip’s body was burnt beyond recognition. Why Philip? The accelerant and fire it created, were more prevelant in the room where Philip was found. Why was the violence focused on Philip?
Treya, while no one knows for sure why little Philip was singled out, I can speculate on a few possibilities. One, Philip (and his sisters) were born into privilege. They were being educated at private schools and their parents promoted, supported, and encouraged their interests and talents.
In the article posted in the Washington Post on May 30, 2015 entitled ” How The DC Family Brutally Killed in Their Home, Spends Their Final Days”, we learn that little Philip became interested in Go Kart racing in 2013-2014, and Savvas encouraged his son’s interest, by taking him frequently to a local track. There is where they meet Wallace, an amateur Race Car Driver who also works at a go-kart race track. Wallace begins giving Philip lessons, until the end of 2014, when Savvas thought that Philip needed a better teacher (the best that money could buy), so Jordan no longer was his coach/mentor.
In March of 2015, Wallace gets fired at the track for some unknown reason. He calls Savvas in mid April, and starts working for him then. Wallace’s first assignment was driving Philp & Savvas to a race in Mooreshead, NC. He also drove the Savopolous’ other luxury cars, for he took pictures of himself in the interior of Amy’s blue Porshe, the Bentley, the Range Rover, and the Mosler racing car.
The Washington Post article, I referenced, stated that Savvas was elected last year, the only American, as a Judge for the International Court of Appeals of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile in Paris, the ruling body for international auto racing.
Little Philip was named after his grandfather, Savvas’ father, Philip, Sr. He was bright and quickly picked up the skills to be a good driver, his new coach – Jay Howard said. He also seemed to be older than his years, his coach remarked. Philip’s last race was on May 3rd and while rounding the track, Philip slammed his go-kart into the back of another cart, that had stopped. Philip suffered a mild concussion and sprained knees and he was taken to the hospital, and was still recovering during the fateful day of May 14, 2015.
You asked, “why Philip, why would anyone hate him so much to torture and kill him?” The answer I believe is that Wallace was jealous and envious of him! That Savvas made things happen, opened doors, and could make Philip’s chances of becoming a professional race car driver, a reality in 6-8 years!!! Whereas Wallace, is 27 and broke and probably resented seeing a kid get further ahead than he was.
Perhaps Philip lorded over his privileges and had more say in matters than Wallace liked or thought he should have. Philp’s coach said that ” he was 10 going on 35″ and he once witnessed him waving off a waiter, who had asked him if he wanted more bread, saying, “No, I better not, I am watching my carbs!” From that interchange, one can surmise that little Philip was confident, well spoken, and could assert himself, even around adults.
I totally agree Clue Bird. Wallace was very jealous of Philip. He was probably resentful of Savvas hiring another driving instructor, a pro, “one of the best money can buy” and ending his training sessions with Wallace as of December 2014. Then being fired from the Autobahn just 2 months later, March 2015. The torture and murder of Philip was just as enjoyable for these sickos as getting the cash, Mosler registration, and who knows what else? Oh yeah, free pizza.
I read the same comment about the 10-year old, but it was not documented research from a professional blogger.
It was made by a poster on a web thread who claimed to live in the DC area and know more than the media is reported.
In other words, it is unverified… not saying false…. but, I definitely consider it more gossip than factual since it was not ever presented by law enforcement authorities to media.
This was a senseless crime nonetheless and Nate Thayer is doing the work no one else has been able to assemble. So, until Nate says so, I choose to consider it mere hearsay and I will pray it is not true.
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?pid=174935916
This obituary helped answer all of the questions that I had about the family and how they acquired their wealth and standing in the community/world. After reading it, my heart sinks even more for the senseless fate that befell them on May 14, 2015.
I am praying that from all of the detective work that law enforcement; FBI; the press; Nate; and others who want justice rendered, will make it happen someday soon!
My heart is broken as well. I hurt so much for them all, but especially the sweet little boy. It is so unfathomable, it’s almost impossible to process. And that we can do nothing about it, to fix it, to reconcile it, to make it not be, feels unacceptable.
If in fact little Philip was tortured to such degree, it would be evident of the kind of torture gangs or mobsters use to extort money or information from their victims. They thrive on this type of brutality. And to add to this atrocious crime, I truly feel that Mr Wallace was incredibly jealous of little Philip and all the money his father spent on him on his new racing hobby. Meanwhile, Wallace always had the dream of becoming a profesional racecar driver but lacked the funds to do so. Could it be possible that due to the fact that a few racecar events Wallace wanted to attend were forthcoming but had no money, that he asked Savopolous to sponsor him, but he declined? That could possibly have infuriated Wallace and at that point decided he would get the money anyway by stealing the 40 grand from Savopolous that I am sure he knew he would be getting in cash for an auction? I just know Wallace was involved no matter what. I feel that without him, there is no way Wint would have known about the cash. I do not know but I can not get this heinous crime out of my mind and pray for them daily. I truly hope they hurry up and arrest more people. I am get so anxious!
I too think that jealousy and envy where at the play. Remember, that Wallace had only worked for Savvas for a few weeks, so asking him for sponsorship, might have been too brazen, that early in his employment. From Nate’s work (and others’), we learn that Wallace contacted Savvas and asked him for a job.
Wallace was 28 years old and probably saw that a 10 year old was much further along in becoming a professional driver than he was. People who are born into wealth (privilege) do get more opportunities and have it easier than those whose lives have been hard scrabble and not so financially paved.
However, the wise person knows (the Bible tells us so) that “God has scattered his gifts among the poor.” I’ve seen this principle play out in my own life. Kids who came from nothing, but who were given the most natural athletic/music/artistic abilities and were able to “rise above their raisin” with hard work; persistence; and TIME.
Unfortunately, we live in a day where “Instant Gratification”, fame, lavish lifestyles are sought after at ANY COST….including murder!
I can’t imagine the HELL that the maid/parents/little Philip went through on that dreadful day! There are no shortcuts in life worth taking, especially if they cause harm to yourself and to others!
It takes time to sort out all of the players and who may have been involved.
The French have a saying: “He/she who benefits from a crime, is guilty of it!”
It sure seems that Wallace (and Wint) would have benefited from $40,000 in tax free money.
Wallace would have went on the driving circuit, and Wint might have been able to afford his own apartment (since his last known address belonged to his sister).
Did the surviving maid state she had received a call (or text ) from the driver/assistant alerting her the money was dropped off? Maybe the killers wanted her out of there at the time of the hostage taking because they knew she would talk too much?? She certainly was at the epicenter of media attention at the time of the murders and her shrugging attitude seemed very odd… commenting, “Thank God it was not me!” which is a strange thing to say after the people who had employed her for 20 years are all brutally murdered, including her housekeeper friend, Figueroa. It never made sense to me that she called the regular housekeeper to ask her if she could work on that day because she needed the money? Hmmm… convenient excuse to me, since it was not even her day to work…. it is possible… but, seems doubtful you ask someone to give up a day of their weekly wage to just pickup their regular workday, just right out of the blue. I think the regular maid was somehow involved either as a patsy or in on it.
How did the driver know the money was expected to be delivered to the residence for the auction for the marital arts studio? I do not think Savvos would just tell the new driver to bring the ca$h to the house out of nowhere. Wallace sure does appear very similar in build and stature to the man with the hoodie caught by survellience cameras running from the church parking lot where the Porsche was torched, imo. Did his GF pick him up and bring him to the hardware store?? How did he get there if
ihe left his BMW less than a block away from the crime scene??
I think Jordan Wallace may quite likely be a pathological narcissist just as much as Daron Wint is a maniacal sociopath. If Wallace wanted to help propel the investigation, he would never have lied about anything right from the very start of his interview with law enforcement. He would have wanted everything out in front so he would not be considered a suspect. At this juncture, it clearly seems his connection to Wint makes him very culpable. Why not arrest him and get him off of the streets?? Is the fact his father has police connections giving him a get out of jail free card???
Perhaps, $40K was not the actual amount they were hoping to heist in this robbery/homicide – but if this goes from a civil case with no death penalty in DC to a federal matter, the death penalty will be back on the table…. as it should be, imo.
The deceased maid ~ Veralicia Figueroa had worked for the family for 13 years. Her shift normally ended at 3 pm, but she may have been asked to stay over and help with little Philip, because he was still recovering from some injuries (concussion) from a recent Go Cart injury. Savaas was called home by his wife Amy around 5 pm on Wednesday, May 13th. Logic seems to suggest, that Wint and his thugs were probably in the home and had already subdued Amy, Veralicia, and Philip before Savvas arrived home. Later that evening, the 2nd maid ~ Nelitza Gutierrez, received a voicemail from Savvas, telling her not to come to the house on Thursday because Amy was sick. Thursday morning, a text came from Amy’s phone saying she that was sick, so she should not visit. This was probably sent after Veralicia’s husband arrived at the family house on Thursday morning looking for his wife.
Both maids were long-time workers. Nelitza had worked for the family for 20 years, and Veralicia had been with them for 13 years. Nelitza Gutierrez, had helped Savaas clean his Martial Arts Business on Monday, readying it for the Grand Opening on Wednesday (which was the last day he was last seen alive).
Wallace’s actions becomes questionable before Thursday morning. He had texted Savvas a message on Wednesday night (8:30 p.m.) saying
“Got your messages, I will call you once I get the package.”
I haven’t seen the timeline to when Wallace picked up the cash, but he texted and called several people (including his girlfriend, whom he sent a picture of the bag of money) at 9:00 a.m.. Records show that the last call from Savvas’ phone to Wallace, occurred at 11:54 a.m.. The fire was set 21 minutes later at 1:15 p.m.
Some believe that Vera’s husband’s presence that morning and the Lawn Service workers’ may have delayed the murders, the getaway. Since it was only a 13-15 minute drive from Savvas’ place of employment, Wallace could have easily entered the home before 9:30 a.m.. He may have well parked his car then, left with one of the accomplices in Amy’s blue Porsche and driven to Chantilly (the Martial Arts Center) then back to the neighborhood once the fire was started. The burnt-out Porsche was found 4 hours after the fire was set. It probably contained the family’s and Vera’s cell phones and the soiled clothing from the Assailants.
I sincerely doubt that the maids were involved! An earlier report stated that Nelitza Gutierrez knew about the money drop, when in fact, she said she did not!
So Gutierrez can’t collaborate Wallace’s reasons for why the money was sought. Which leaves only the Accountant, and possibly Saavas’ father ~ Phillip Sr., who was founder, past President, current President of American Ironworks, according to the family’s obituary. He has resumed his previous duties after his son’s death.
And, it absolutely stymies me that Wallace texted Amy S. to inform her of a fire! How did Wallace know there was a fire at the mansion?? The racing vest in the Porsche is a very intriguing bit of evidence since eye witnesses claim to have seen a man with short hair driving a blue Porsche at breakneck speeds. Sounds like Wallace’s MO… but, he is still not indicted, even as an accessory to multiple homicide?
Evidently, is a horrific home invasion criminal act which law enforcement does not want to see the public at large acting as judge, jury and executioner in the court of public opinion since there must be much more evidential discovery than they are willing to divulge.
I felt that is was odd too that Wallace texted Amy about the fire when he was still in Chantilly, VA, thirty miles away! He claims an Ironwork’s employee told him about it. I don’t know about you, but when I am at work, I am in a vacuum so to speak. Oblivious to the outside world, unless it is late breaking news or something that is happening closeby! Drive one mile in any direction, and chances are you wouldn’t know what occurred there until the evening news!
Maybe the vest was worn by Wint, since his clothes were likely to have been soiled during the murders. The figure caught in the Church’s security camera was wearing a hoodie, and certainly looks like a man the height and built of Wallace!
I wonder how long Wallace was held for questioning after his BMW was found in the street (after the fire) by Law Enforcement?
Maybe that encounter prolonged or prompted destroying the Porsche?
For what it is worth, I think Wint’s brother might have been the accomplice! He certainly involved himself by driving the box truck when Wint was returning from NYC to D.C. A big box truck could easily have concealed them both after they left the house and dropped them off at a location far away from the crime scene.
Blair says
JUNE 4, 2015 AT 2:19 PM
This one is easy – Jordan probably never lived at that address and the fact their fathers lived in the same community is just a mere coincidence – and Mr. Thayer is reaching in a HUGE way… and ruining someones life in the process.
—————————————————————-
Oh “Blair” please stop deluding yourself. There is no “HUGE” reach by Mr. Thayer’s excellent investigative journalism. Thayer has either painstakingly connected the dots between Wallace and Wint on his own. OR someone within law enforcement has chosen to very carefully share this information with Thayer. Either way – it’s excellent journalism.
And if by “someone” you mean you’re concerned that evidence proving a connection between Wint or Wallace will “ruin” their lives – well that’s laughable. They can take credit for ruining their own lives and that of the Savopoulos family. Wallace and Wint can take 100% of the credit for bringing shame upon their own families for whom I feel great empathy for.
Actually, I’ve reconsidered the “destruction” of the Savopoulos family because they have 2 surviving daughters who will accomplish many positive things in their long healthy lives. The Savopoulos daughter’s will accomplish many wonderful things in their lifetimes and will lead lives forever in loving remembrance of their slain parents and baby brother.
In fact, even dead; Savvas, Amy, and Philip will do more positive things than Wallace and Wint could ever accomplish alive.
Clue Bird: Thanks for taking time to write up such a detailed explanatory synopsis. It cleared up a couple of areas of concern for me since I had been trying to piece together a timeline from what I viewed or read from MSM news reports which are spliced and diced and had not seen such detailed information.
It is very difficult Commenter, to piece together the facts, when they come from multiple sources. Case in point: The info that I posted about Savvas’ father taking back the running of Ironworks, didn’t come from the obituary, but from an article in May 30th’s Washington Post by Justin Jouvenel & Roxanne Roberts entitled: “How The D.C. Family Brutually Killed In Their Home, Spent Their Final Days”. It also said that little Philip was named after his grandfather, and that his nickname was “Flip”. It was a very informative and sweet story!
I am receiving google alerts on the ongoing developments on this ransom plot.
Sources are very confusing, indeed.
Here are the latest reports received just in now:
Police turn attention to CEO’s assistant in DC mansion murders case
Fox News
Police are searching for a link between the assistant to a murdered corporate executive and the killings of the executive, his wife, their 10-year-old son …
ABC News
Could Text Message Provide Clues in DC Quadruple Murder?
(There are so many law enforcement agencies involved it may be putting a kibosh on the flow of information since the FBI may take the helm as a federal case.)
I believe he lied because he hadn’t put the money in the car, therefore he didn’t know if it had been locked or unlocked, if the garage door had been open or closed or to access the garage a remote was required. It also appears Wallace was on the radar of Law Enforcement immediately. Remember, not only were DC police on the scene but FBI and Secret Service, due to the close proximity to Biden’s home.
Liese:
Your logic makes good sense in a complex case where very little does.
Imo, there are many layers of components to this home invasion/ robbery conspiracy. To my mind, (at this juncture) – it begins with Jordan Wallace and his immediate contact with his employer as the chauffeur/driver/ odd job doer. Personal assistant sounds far too overblown in responsibilities for a virtual stranger, but…. possibly that was Wallace’s self-imposed creative title?
But, what kind of a professional accountant drops $40K over to a new hire to bring to the mansion the assistant’s own red bag?? This sounds super fishy…. and, even if the CFO had spoken to Savopoulos himself… would he not have noted anything about this which appeared the least bit awry or picked up on anything bizarre in his boss’s tone of voice??
I just do not comprehend how the AWI Accountant was not involved? I watched him in a short video interview right after the murders and he sounded quite matter-of-fact concerning a situation which was anything but normal. He seemed very blasé and did not appear the least bit shocked or grief-stricken, jmo.
Also, I still am not fully on board with the regular maid’s on camera interview comments or behavior, either.
Savvas gave clear clues in the VM to the housekeeper’s husband about the cell phone dying and going to the hospital. It should have alerted instantaneous concern since it made absolutely no sense whatsoever…. as you (yourself) had already convincingly examined in a previous post just how illogical it all appears from the very beginning!
Still… if Jordan Wallace was replaced as the personal trainer to Philip, this may have caused some issues with his original plan to potentially use the family’s Mosler in a race scheduled in California which he could not afford to attend. He even put the word ‘Broke’ into the title of his own car racing team.
Imo, Wallace is a narcissist and a wannabe…. that is obvious from all of his Instagram and social media posts. I believe he knew Wint and possibly made the decision to conspire in an extortion plot.
As I stated in a previous post, who picked up Jordan Wallace and drove him to the hardware store in Chantilly, VA if his BMW was detained by LW for search and seizure?? Wallace did not even have time to remove his laptop, backpacks, Mosler registration paperwork, food receipts and other evidence. Even the door rests were removed from his car for forensics!! Yet, he still is not charged with anything?? A-mazing!!
If this is true, he would have participated in the homicides, at the very least, by his mere presence at the actual crime scene to drop off the ca$h.
Also, if only 2 packets in the amount of $20K were in the cell phone pic…. where were the other 2 packets?
I had read LE stated they know where Wallace is at all times.
Do you think, as I conjecture, Jordan Wallace has been under protective custody?
I wonder why Jordan Wallace lied? Was he trying to hide something totally unrelated to this crime? or is he involved in this crime? This is such a heinous crime- the brutal slaughter of 4 precious lives. RIP Savvas, Amy, Veralicia and Philip. God comfort the families at this very painful time.
People lie because they a) want to conceal the truth b) because they benefit from the lie they are perpetuating c) because they have a seared conscience and their brain chemistry has changed (it is automatic, pathological) from continuous lying. I believe all 3 of these reasons explain why Wallace has lied, will lie, to save himself!
Our culture dismisses the gravity and consequences of lying! Calling someone out for lying evokes anger, denial, but worst of all retailiation! Instead of defending truth and justice, people would rather be liked or not have to face the wrath of being called a ” hater; self righteous or judgmental.”
Thankfully, there is still a majority (though the numerous are vastly dwindling) of people who want justice served and who won’t turn a blind eye to evil and a corrupt heart & tongue!!!
Clue Bird thanks. thank you for addressing the general topic of lying. I know no one right now knows why Jordan Wallace lied about this very serious matter. my question was a ponder? An experienced law enforcement official can probably address the reasons someone ‘might’ lie during a serious investigation based on their experience with questioning people in an investigation. Right now – Jordan Wallace has not been identified as a suspect – i notice the AP is not using his name and only will identify him as W1. But that is always subject to change at any time. We know people have confessed to crimes that have not committed before – so until more information has come in – I will just pray the ones who committed this crime will be arrested and punished. The person who saw a well-groomed man driving the porshe on the day of the fire wearing a green vest- man with well- groomed hair is so general – what was the race- skin tone- facial features – etc – did it look like Wint, Wallace? And that grainy video of the person near the porshe on fire – can they get a idea on the height, weight or other characteristics- I cannot tell anything from that grainy video- someone said it is Wint- someone said it looks like Wallace – Wint and Wallace look totally different. I am raising these questions because I want the right people to be arrested and not just someone arrested. of course – I believe law enforcement know much much more and they have to be careful what information is released and when that information is disclosed. I believe they are using all resources to find all the responsible parties. This case is so disturbing- on so many levels – but the most pain is just thinking about what this family and Veralicia went through for those hours. I hope God will comfort their families during this very painful chapter in their lives.
Anyone know?, Wallace texted Amy regarding the fire. if an AIW employee contacted him and said the house was on fire then it seems normal for him to contact her but if no one from AIW contacted him (which can be verified) then how and when did he learn about the fire since he was in Virginia at that time. What car was Wallace using when he drove to drop off the money- when did he leave his car near the Savopoulos house on the day of the fire- what car was he using that day from the beginning of the work day to the end of the work day? The pic with the money – was there only 20k viewable in the pic or did he only have 20k on him when the pic was taken? was $20k put in one bag and $20k in another?
Vibrant, you asked some of the same questions that I have been pondering! The only timeline that I have seen so far, in regard to Wallace’s whereabouts on Thursday is that he picked up the money before 9:00 a.m., because then is when he sent pictures of it to his girlfriend and others. 10:30 a.m. he texts Savvas: “Packaged Delivered.” Savvas’ last phone call was made to Wallace at 11:54 a.m.. The fire was set at 1:15 p.m., then Wallace called Savvas at 1:40 p.m., but got no answer! He then supposedly got a phone call from an employee at AIW, telling him that the house was engulfed in flames, so he speed off to check on his employers. His mode of transportation that day has never been revealed, as far as I know. The only thing that I read was that it was parked 1 block from the family home.
One text he sent amy read: “Hey ms Amy are you okay, if so you need to get home I got a call that your house is on fire.”
Remember, that Wallace was supposedly working at the Martial Art’s business in Chantilly, Va., thirty miles away from the family home! He was however seen at a hardware store near the studio, sometime around 11:30 a.m.
What is extremely ODD to me is the 1 hour and forty six minute gap, from when Savvas last called Wallace, until Wallace called him back!!! Young people are glued to their phones, and given the unsualness of Wallace’s Thursday morning duties, why didn’t he return Savvas’ call sooner?
His text to Amy is beyond odd & over-reaching!!!! If my boss’ house were on fire, I don’t think that I would bother texting her, would you??? Especially, if you weren’t an eye witness and you thought that she might be there, caring for her son!!! Wallace also DISCOUNTS Savvas’ presence, and places himself more important, more knowing than him!!! It is also when, in my opinion, Wallace destroys all credibility, in convincing others that Savvas couldn’t leave the house nor conduct his affairs in person that day!!!
I may have missed it but has there been any explanation where Wallace was between the time he picked up the money, texted his girlfriend and delivered it to Savvas?
Wallace wanted to appear a hero when the authorities saw the text sent to Amy telling her the house was on fire. On the contrary, it was idiotic to send such a text.
It bothers me that no one in the chain of command questioned handing over 40K to Wallace.
I can only speculate what I may have done if in the same situation but it would seem obvious to me that we would all be murdered once the money was delivered. They couldn’t leave witnesses. I may have risked everything and screamed help during one of the telephone conversations. The criminals would have panicked and may have fled. Of course they may have inflicted more injuries but at least there would be a fighting chance with help on the way.
If Wallace was involved how could he possibly think he could get away with this crime? He would be at the top of the list of suspects since he delivered the money. He couldn’t even provide an accurate account of delivering the money when questioned. (I still contend he never entered the garage or put the money in the car.)
I usually refrain from calling people names but it appears Wint is a psychopath. An immigrant from Guyana here as a permanent green card resident. As such, any infraction or brush with the law should have had him deported. If it isn’t law, it should be.
Our country is faced with tens of thousands of illegal aliens crossing our borders, many of whom are criminals and gang members. They are committing crimes and are not deported. They are incarcerated then set free but are not deported. Many have been offered amnesty instead of being deported.
June 8, 2015
The Washington Times
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has flagged for deportation the sole suspect charged in the high-profile, quadruple homicide in the multimillion dollar Northwest home of businessman Savvas Savopoulos.
The agency has placed an immigration detainer on Darron Delon Dennis Wint, who was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in last month’s killings of a D.C. couple, their 10-year-old child and the family’s housekeeper. ICE officials confirmed that Mr. Wint, who is a citizen of Guyana, could face deportation from the United States if he is convicted.
ICE spokeswoman Carissa Cutrell said Mr. Wint is in the United States legally as a lawful permanent resident, a term used by the agency for green card holders. She said the agency filed the detainer, which asks the local jail to alert officials of an individual’s pending release so he or she can be taken into ICE custody, after Mr. Wint was arrested and charged with murder.
From what I have read, this is definitely from print/electronic news sources: Wint and his family are here legally. Unfortunately, people, mostly men, commit senseless violent crimes. Some of these criminals are 100% born and bred American. In this case, we have 1 legal immigrant and very possibly another perp who is 100% American. And anyway, what difference does it make? Murder is murder.
The fact that America’s great justice system let Wint out of jail or allowed for charges to be dropped when he was facing serious criminal counts is pathetic. They could have and should have deported him back then.
He was verbally and physically threatening the lives of his biological father, his half-sibling, and his step-mother. He has at least 2 counts of sexual assault on his record. His own family has a restraining order against him. A previous landlord (who he also intimidated with knives and verbally threatened) also filed for a restraining order but amazingly it was denied!
I never heard mention of what car Wallace was driving on Thursday, May 14th. From what I’ve read and heard reported on tv news, Wallace claims he dropped of the “ransom” (never seeing Savvas personally) and then drove to Chantilly, VA to work at the new martial arts center. The martial arts center was to have its grand open the following day, Friday, May 15th.
It’s a little less than 30 miles from the mansion to Chantilly. In the afternoon, before rush hour, it should not take longer than 45 minutes in regular traffic from the mansion to Chantilly, or vice-versa. In fact, if someone doesn’t care about speeding, the drive could be as quick, as 30 minutes. And although American Iron Works is only 10 miles from the mansion, the drive is about 30 minutes, maybe as much as 45 minutes, because of traffic congestion and/or construction.
My husband and I drove by the mansion this morning. The police no longer have that block cordoned off. More of the mansion windows have been replaced with sheets of plywood. Not sure why. Just a day or two after the fire, only a few were boarded up. The windows above the door on the second floor. Now most of them look to be removed and covered with plywood.
There are several work trucks there and in the front yard burned items from the mansion’s interior. We saw a woman talking to a few men. Several more carrying huge rolls of plastic sheeting, or what looked like plastic sheeting through the garage (which is on the side of the mansion – facing Garfield/ the mansion’s front faces Woodland). This afternoon I noticed Google maps has removed street images for the Savopoulos mansion.
The garage doors were opened when we drove past. One all the way up the other only partially. They look to be solid wood, without windows. We felt it disrespectful to snap photos. So we didn’t.
More pieces to the puzzle. My profession has helped me become a master reader. To pick up on little details that most might miss. This is why I like Nate’s blog and contributing to it in small ways. In journalism, we are known as “stringers”.
Anyway, I found this interesting article about Jordan Wallace and his girlfriend Ashley Barrett. It gives a timeline, to when they both enter into the racing profession and why they both were motivated by money and placing themselves among some wealthy/influential clients. http://www.capitalgazette.com/cg2-arc-140321gn-connections–autobahn-20140329-story.html
Another piece of the puzzle that I have been curious about is the family dogs. The two Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, who were said to have been found outside roaming in the grass, the day of the fire. After a little research on this breed, I found out that they are Maryland’s State dog, they are powerfully built (70-80 lbs) and they are great water and hunting dogs. They are also very affectionate and have protective natures.
Being a dog owner myself, I know that dogs, especially trained ones, like to adhere to a schedule. They want their food the appointed time and by instinct, they know when that time should be.
I also can’t imagine them being let out all night, for most would start whining, barking to be let back in.
Which brings me to another thought. It would take someone who has interacted with the dogs to get them to respond to him/her and to follow their commands, without barking, resisting.
I believe that Jordan and his GF Ashley Barrett went to the house on Wednesday evening after dark. They could have let the dogs in (probably contained them downstairs ) then let them out first thing in the morning to give the appearance of normal life.
I also think that because Wallace was the Competition director and Ashley is the Director of Social Media & Photography at the Autobahn indoor speedway, they would have the skills to implement wire transfers and know how to take control of the family/maid’s cell phones and communication going out. Ashley would also be the perfect person to circulate the currency, once Jordan got it, to dilute any traces back to him/her.
Questions were posed about the AIW accountant, and why he wouldn’t be suspicious of the cash transaction? Answer: Perhaps Savvas’ father, Philip Sr., who was the founder and past President of the company, still had some power and could authorize such requests at his son’s asking. Savvas perhaps thought that once that money was transferred, that his KNOWN CAPTORS MIGHT release them, since they got what they were after. The grandfather might have dismissed the change in Savvas’ voice, due to the circumstances or reasons Savvas told him, why he couldn’t get the money himself. Perhaps he said it was due to Little Philip’s condition (he had a concussion) and was needed at home, until Amy ran her errands and returned.
These questions/thoughts are merely speculations, but they might add some insight/further pondering to who the “players” are. I hope the FBI has been carefully scrutinizing W#2 and her activities/cell records; etc….
Do we know if Savvas’ father, Philip, knew of the $40K request? I have a feeling he did not. I feel strongly if he had, this barbaric crime would have had a much better ending.
I find Ashley’s response to receiving a picture of bundles of money as odd. “Who does that belong to?’ or “Where did you get that?” seems a more likely initial response.
Liese:
W2 must be pretty high up there on the totem pole of state’s witnesses for a reason.
The fact W1 has not been officially arrested may mean he is cooperating with LE and/or
under protective custody by the state or FBI.
This case has so many agencies involved it boggles the mind how anyone would be bold and callous enough to think they could pull off such a heartless high profile quadruple homicide case in the heart of Washington, D.C.
But, criminals do not have any real idea just how advanced forensic technologies are far beyond what is shown on crime TV shows.
LE is much further along in this ongoing investigation than the suspects might realize.
Evidently, they do not want the Savopoulos case tried in the court of public opinion because it can skew verdicts.
I predict this matter will probably go to a grand jury first and then to a federal appellate court.
If so, it would put the death penalty back on the table since D.C. abolished capital punishment in the early 1970’s.
What are the chances that Wallace will lie again to LE and claim he was coerced by Wint?
Thank you for the information you posted today about the house. People have probably been hired to salvage any personal items not damaged by the fire. I assume the house will eventually be torn down.
The warrants unsealed today offer a glimpse of the injuries and cause of death but the autopsies probably will be in more graphic detail… this was unsettling enough. There is no punishment harsh enough to fit this crime.
June 10, 2015
Unsealed Mansion Warrant:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/268309168/DC-Mansion-Warrant
Affidavit: Bloodied baseball bat found at scene of mansion murders
http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/local/dc/2015/06/10/baseball-bat-mansion-murders-dc-savopoulos-deaths/71029566/
Liese- excellent observation! She was already aware of situation. Didn’t know amt, but knew what Wallace was doing.
I read a local story today where it cited – law enforcement does not believe Jordan Wallace is involved in the crime BUT they cannot figure out why he lied when questioned. Chime in y’all
Can you copy/paste your source?
Does local mean Washington, DC local? I find it difficult to believe that he’s not involved. How would Wint have known to request $40K? Or did Savvas tell him he’d give him $40K and Wint didn’t want more?
I also cannot believe the coincidence of Wint and Wallace living in the very same apartment complex twice in the last 15 years but they don’t know one another? And one time they were next door neighbors, the other they were very close – just a few units apart. And more recently, Wint’s sister, with whom he’d been living (at least part time) live next door to Jordan’s father? Although the experience was 10 years apart – they both worked for AIW/Savvas Savopoulos. They must be friends with one another imho.
Sometimes LE puts out statements to make suspects and/or uncooperative witnesses paranoid, or very relaxed and comfortable, or super uncomfortable – just to get them to hang themselves, or to motivate them to confess or to finally cooperate.
Thank you Clue Bird and Treya for chiming in. Yes, it was a local DC TV station that indicated law enforcement does not believe Wallace is involved but have no idea why he lied. From the very beginning – I have not believe he is involved – in other words based on the very limited information that has been provided – I am not convinced he is involved with this horrific crime and if he is – that will be the biggest shock to me about this case. Treya – we do not know that Wint requested -$40k – we have not heard from bank officials or the AIW accountant who can shed more light on the money matter. I would think that at this time – Wallace has counsel – . They have to be able to link him to this specific crime- not just that he knew individuals involved with the crime. (major difference. i will try to find the DC local link.
I wonder if there is a significance to the amount of $40K? The amount bothers me for some reason.
If Wallace wasn’t involved, why did he lie to the police about where he left the money? Why was his car parked unattended one block away from the scene? Why did he go into hiding and not attend the funeral? LE may be concerned that too many details have been reported regarding Wallace’s involvement. Why are we not hearing an attorney for Wallace bombarding the media about the innocence of his client?
The description of the person seen fleeing the area sometime after the fire began has a remarkable resemblance to Wallace. Yet, LE claims he has an alibi.
Did Wallace asked any questions of Saavas? “Do you want me to pick you up later?” “What would you like me to do today?” “Will you be coming to Chantilly?
Why did Wallace take a picture of two bundles of money and claim it was $40K? Wouldn’t four bundles have been more impressive? I read that it was about a 30 minute drive to Savvas’ house. What did Wallace do during the other hour? It was said that he sent several txts. If I had $40K to deliver, I couldn’t get to the destination quickly enough.
yes, lying will definitely will put someone under a cloud of suspicion real fast. if someone is under a cloud of suspicion it is best to seek counsel – stay far away from the media and possible go into hiding for their own safety. Sometimes individuals ‘lawyer up” before dealing with LE depending on the circumstances. RIP Vera, Savvas Amy and Philip. May the guilty be brought to justice.
Tonight on 20/20 NG will be interviewed and also someone who was stabbed by DW in the past.
Thanks Leise!
In a previous post, I linked a news video of the victim in New York State who said Damon Wint wielded a knife like a windmill cut him up but got just 89 days incarceration. Sounded like attempted manslaughter, but was reduced to a lower felony conviction.
Search Wallace and all of Nate’s articles and post threads show up if you want to post it there, too.
Our country needs to take a hard look at the criminal justice system. Attempted murder is just that and should not be negotiated down to a lesser charge, especially when the person is a repeat offender. It matters not the ethnicity of the criminal and we need to step back from the politically correct nonsense… a criminal in a criminal.
If Wint is found guilty of these crimes, I agree he will be dealt with in the prison system. The injuries inflicted on Philip alone will exact his fate.
A tv show Fri night stated the following: same neon colored vests were found in garage of family’s home. The maid stated she’d never seen those vests before. Security footage of person @ church pkg lot shows the individual carrying a bucket which are same buckets found @ Wint’s father’s home. Wint was arrested outside of AIW previously. He had a machete, can of beer, and a knife with him. Wint clearly had motive of some kind. Wint served 10mos for attacking a man on 2 separate occasions with knives (1 in each hand).
Wallace is young, single guy who probably ‘ parties’.. with neighbors.. likely Wint. Wallace likes to brag.. probably bragged to Wint, others. Fact that these two guys lived so close to one another means they likely communicated verbally. I think Wallace was in it for racing $. The plan went wrong some point. Wint murdered the innocent family. Wallace knew Savvas would do anything for his son.. so did the killer(s).
Finally, this article is amazingly well researched!
MdmPhnx: I too viewed 20/20 on Friday night. Frankly, I have questions concerning the housekeeper who was interviewed. There were images shown of the green racing vests in the mansion garage.
Nate Thayer reported there was a green vest, similar to the type used for racing events, burned inside Amy S.’s Porsche 911. There were images published on the many thread links provided by posters showing images of the interior of the garage on this Nate Thayer blog.
I do not know exactly where it was theorized about construction vests potentially used to gain access into the home by getting the deceased housekeeper to open the door, but this was not ever corroborated by law enforcement.
There are other article threads on this topic on this blog with articles Nate Thayer assiduiously researched on this horrific crime which is located in the area where his family resides, if you put the name Wallace in the search bar. Once the author updates the information, he will discern what is purely speculative from forensic evidence. However, I strongly believe, circumstantial evidence will play a very strong part in apprehending the accomplices in this multiple murder. And, we know, murder convictions have been won without a murder weapon or even a body. Since LE already has
gathered so much forensic evidence, the public is just in a holding pattern waiting for newly unsealed documents to surface from the Attorney General. Agree… very well-researched investigative reporting by Nate Thayer. 🙂
Commenter you brought up excellent points in response to MdmPhnx. May I ask your thoughts on housekeeper Nelly G?
Over the past 2 days I’ve reviewed both Nelly’s on camera interviews, as well as, print interviews where journalists used quotes for remarks made by Nelly G.
I found many conflicting comments made by her regarding security at the Savopoulos mansion. In at least 2 separate on camera interviews she is adamant that the very sophisticated alarm was always on and never turned off; even when the family was inside the home.
In an online/print media interview Nelly G. is quoted saying the Savopouloses were very laid back regarding security. That the garage was frequently left open, and they did not always engage the alarm system.
I also heard Nelly G. remark in an on camera interview that she was aware of the 40K drop off and that the money was left inside car, inside the garage; and that this scenario was not unusual. That large amounts of cash were frequently left at the mansion, even on the porch! Then in an online/print media interview the journalist specifically asked her about her knowledge of the 40K being left in the car in the garage and she unequivocally stated she had absolutely no knowledge of the money and the drop off location. She added that this was not normal.
I don’t think her conflicting comments are due to a language barrier. I didn’t think she could be a co-conspirator. However, because several of her statements to the media do not add up, I cannot help but wonder why?
I bet Jordan Wallace & Darrell Wint ( Daron Wint’s ) younger brother,used to hang out together there real close in age.
well… well… Wint’s family has retained a DC law firm to represent him… it is probably his mother who retained counsel not the father who had spoken about Wint’s past violent behavior…
That JW would take pics of SS and AS high end cars and post them on social media says a lot about him. After all, these were not the possessions of JW, but the possessions of somebody else. All you have to do is look at the tag names he included with the posts and you see a man who feels a sense of entitlement and ownership over someone elses property.
At best, it was unprofessional. I suspect much more, though. Tie in the brutality towards PS, you have a very angry, jealous, entitled psychopath who orchestrated these kills to further his agenda.
As far as the report of PS having been stabbed 50 times, I doubt this very much. He likely would have bled to death by the 50th stab wound and would not have died from a combination of fire and blood loss. Also, given that he was burned beyond recognition, each of the supposed 50 stab wounds would have had to puncture bone for the medical examiner to conclude the number of times he was stabbed. I don’t think a 10 year old could sustain life long enough to endure such deep, penetrating wounds. He would have bled to death prior to the fire being started.
Ava, I hope you are right. I cling onto anything that suggests that the little boy might have suffered less. I made the mistake early on of clicking on an audio file of the extended version of the voicemail from Savvas to Nelly Gutierrez, and it is something I will never forget. (To say the least.)
I agree re Jordan Wallace. In some ways, his “humble brag” posts are not totally unusual for a young person to share on SM in this “if there’s not a pic, it didn’t happen” culture. But, to me, there was just such an enormous disparity between the image he portrayed (his dream) and his actual reality. I’m in my 40’s, so I grew up looking at Warren Buffett on the cover of mags as a symbol of wealth. Now, people grow up looking at their peers (Mark Zuckerberg) as a symbol of wealth. JW might have felt entitled to BE and to HAVE all that he was projecting to the world, and now. JW wanted to be a winner—famous champagne-drinking race car driver celeb, and he looked the part. Yet, his reality was one that he might relegate to losers–he was just fired at a go-kart place, replaced as PS’s racing coach, didn’t have an education, didn’t have money for his upcoming races, was the oldest guy to even be scheduled in the upcoming race, and the closest he could get to the life he desired was taking pics of someone else’s.
How does one reconcile that?
The fact that it ends up he has lived next door to the murderer of his own boss, the murderer to whom, he, himself, delivered the ransom money (which he lied about in multiple ways btw) is impossible without the two being connected. (Really, what are the stats of that possibility? They have to be waaaaaaaaay lower than winning the lottery or being struck by lightning 19 times.)
I don’t think there is any question that he involved, according to the court of common sense. The question is how!
Imagine how cool JW thought he was when he would be seen driving the cars around the city. He probably got a lot of looks and I have no doubt he milked those moments for all it was worth. Probably loved the feeling he got when he realized that people thought those cars belonged to him.
But….they weren’t his. Never would be, either, unless he won the lottery. I struggle to believe that he has the work ethic to pull in that kind of money. Too busy showing off instead of coming up wish a solid plan to work hard and earn nice things instead of pretending like those cars were actually his and posting pics of himself all over social media. A man so in love with the idea of having money that he would text a pic of it to his girlfriend.
He should have used the hashtags – #costsmorethaniwilleverearn or #thesecarswillneverbemine or #imjustthehiredhelp
EVEN BETTER
#gettingreadytodolifewithoutparole
Plenty of people ‘fake it ’til they make it’. Being a show off doesn’t exclude those with intelligence and a strong work ethic.
#strivingforluxuryisnotacrime
#friendsandcolleaguessupportwallace
#beingashowoffdoesnotmeanmurder
Early on, several named friends and colleagues came to JW’s defense. No one from his family (to my knowledge) but a few friends and co-workers.
In one way I find it impossible that Wint could orchestrate and successfully execute this diabolical crime without assistance from someone on the inside. Yet it IS possible.
Just because someone’s alibi is checked and confirmed does not mean they’re not intimately involved. Plenty of criminals have wrongly believed establishing an alibi will keep them from ever being charged.
I’d like to know if it’s confirmed that the 11:54 call was an actual call, not a text or voicemail. Does Nate or anyone else with a link know if that was a “missed call”? Because the blog says the call went unanswered which implies “missed call” to me. Or is Nate just saying that SS dialed JW’s phone and for whatever reason JW didn’t respond back? Thanks.
Here is all that I have ever read about JW’s phone calls/text messages:
Savopoulos called Wallace at 11:54 a.m on Thursday, May 14, but the call was not answered, records show. It was the last incoming or outgoing call Savopoulos made or answered before the fire and his murder, which police say occurred sometime between noon and 1:24 P.M
At 10:26 a.m., the police records show, Wallace TEXTED Savopoulos: “Package delivered.”
Wallace then drove to Virginia to work on one of his boss’s projects, a martial arts studio. The fire was discovered about 1:15 p.m., and police say Wallace was in Chantilly at the time. He learned about the fire from someone at American Iron Works, and he TEXTED Amy and Savvas Savopoulos several times as he drove to their home.~ “Hey ms Amy are you ok, if so you need to get home I got a call that your house is on fire,” police records say he wrote.
By that time, police said, the family was already dead.
Sources: Nate’s blog (1st paragraph) & http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/police-say-cell-phones-stolen-from-slain-savopoulos-family/2015/06/03/13185622-0a11-11e5-95fd-d580f1c5d44e_story.html
I was thinking about something today…
I forget where I saw this but I remember reading details about the autopsy where it stated Philip’s foot was cut off. I never thought there was a specific reason for choosing the foot but I did think it was odd that it wasn’t a finger or a toe. If Wint was planning on torturing the boy to extort money from the family, cutting off the foot would cause heavy blood loss and Philip probably wouldn’t survive and there would be no incentive for the family to help Wint. So, why the foot?
If were to assume that JW was involved, and his motive was due to jealousy surrounding Philip’s privilege and success in the racing circuit (a success that JW desperately sought) is it possible that JW told Wint to cut off Philip’s racing foot as some form of morbid symbolism?
Could be totally wrong about that but I don’t think it’s possible that JW wasn’t involved somehow. I think JW’s motives are much more indicative of the crime. It seems more likely that JW, someone with unfiltered access to the family and intimate knowledge of their wealth, would be able to orchestrate something like this. As opposed to Wint, who was simply fired from his job at AIW. Sure, it gives Wint motive. But it doesn’t explain the $40k delivery in my mind. Not to mention the fact that Wint and JW probably knew each other before and definitely lived near each other in Prince George County. Coincidence? I seriously doubt it.
Hi Jon,
I remember reading about the severed foot too.
I found a guyanese proverb that reads: “It nah good to shove yuh foot in every stocking”
Interpretation: You should not try to position yourself everywhere or in everything.
Here is the source: http://www.guyana.org/proverbs.html
Somehow, I think severing little Philips foot was done to send a message. I also don’t think that JW did it. Wint and his fellow guyanese ex pats grew up with knives (know how to use them) more so than Americans do.
Being cut in this manner, might have caused Little Philip to pass out, due to all the blood loss. This might have made his torture, less horrific, if he was unaware of what was happening.
I know when I give a pint of blood, I tend to pass out, if not laying horizontally flat or given something sweet to eat/drink immediately to bring up my blood sugar levels.
I also think that something went down that was unexpected. It seems odd that after the money was delivered, that Wint and his accomplice(s) didn’t leave. I realize that the lawn care service might have interfered with their plans, but 2 hours and 45 minutes seemed excessive, for people who wouldn’t have wanted to be seen in broad daylight. Why did Savvas try to get in touch with Wallace? None of the other hired help or AIW employees were contacted later in the day after they OBEYED his orders (of obtaining the money; not coming to the family’s home; etc.).
I also think that Wallace’s behavior after the money drop was strange as well. Why didn’t he use immediacy when answering Savvas’ last phone call?; Why did he chose to text him instead; and the strange message that he left on Amy’s phone (that seemed more like a taunt, than a call of concern). Yet, upon hearing that the house was ablaze, he takes immediate action and goes back to the area to have a look?!?
Hopefully, as more evidence comes out, the motives behind the killings will come to light. Right now, the reason baffles me! I also cannot comprehend how another human being could be so evil, so callous, to hurt innocent people, especially a child!!!!!
Jon,
If it is true that his foot was severed, I agree with you about the symbolism. My husband and I will thought about it briefly. Since we only heard it mentioned once, and neither of us can recall if it was reported on tv news or online news source – we thought perhaps it wasn’t true.
However, in this case, a lot of information we have heard or read has been a one time thing. It’s very weird because usually news is repeated, even stuff that isn’t verified.
We heard on local DC news that LE told them the reason the family was killed several hours AFTER 40k drop off was because the perp(s) were attempting to the extort more money via wire transfers. We heard this reported once and never again. Same thing about the foot. Also the cut to Amy’s throat so deep it was almost decapitation. Something which we heard once or twice is that LE believes most of the knife injuries were caused by a special Japanese sword which belonged to Savvas and was kept in their home.
Many things are strange about this case. It appears that all the weapons used belonged to the S family. That’s very unusual. So is killing a child for ransom; especially after $ is received. But if true that there were additional attempts for more money, and Savvas and Amy were unable to wire to foreign bank account – or if whatever kidnapper’s demands were – perp(s) didn’t want to wait anymore. Plus if Wint didn’t wear a mask. If others were involved and showed their faces – then they’d always planned to murder the victims imho.
Also reported a few times on local news was that LE was working on restoring deleted cctv footage from the mansion’s sophisticated security system. The perp(s) tried to destroy it but it was explained that with the hisvtype of system it would be extremely difficult to permanently delete security video. If the security system was disabled prior to home invasion then someone on the inside was DW’s co-conspirator. JW seems most obvious for a lot of reasons. But then wouldn’t he have been arrested by now?
Hi Nate! I stumbled upon your journalistic blog today and discovered this article, which is vastly more sensible, than the bits, pieces, denials and one-broadcast clues provided by local and national msm. I look forward to tackling some of your work on Religious Extremism since it affects people I know in buckle of the Bible Belt.
The latest news release about 20 pending charges on Darron Wint during a preliminary hearing this week. I found it odd that no new information of significance has been released (really since June 2015 along some vague updates around August 2015).
I ran across this link today which appears pretty untouched. I don’t know anything about Martial Arts but the gist of the email exchange with Savvas was that his trainer may have faked credentials, not followed accepted training practices (less of an academic approach esp. in the area of history), and promotes a bastardized version of a more formal curriculum. My interpretation may be completely off-base and insight is appreciated.
https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!msg/fa.iaido/68-lA-Kt5q4/DBwPd6QWWHgJ
The exchange took place in 1999; yes, some time ago but we know that at least one person appears to have nursed a decade-long grudge so it can’t be ruled out. The guy writing the majority of the correspondence is a fellow who says he resides in Japan. He repeatedly chides Savvas for wanting to work out a dispute via their art. Would anyone that didn’t want “subpar” training to water down the legitimacy of practitioners in the area and maybe bring back unresolved disputes? With the imminent grand opening of the studio virtually complete, depending on an auction for $40k in equipment strikes me as risky (but that could be why I’m not in the field).
What I’m saying is, despite the dreadful characters that you endured on your readers’ behalf, I would love some logical analysis from a source that has me convinced that Justin Wallace masterminded/stumbled into the plot. If you aren’t seeking the truth, people like me latch onto anything and cook up cockamamie stew that no one wants to ponder.
The commenters here are jewels. It’s amazing to see a random group of people bounce ideas around until the bizarre behavior of Wallace, Wint and other players becomes logical.
If anyone else stops by, back me up on this!
I am ashamed of the poor grammar that I submitted. There’s also a bit more that I found on the link (you may need to click through for the emails) and names of potentially local, nefarious characters lurking in SS’s circles. Is SS one who typically believes that fighting determines who’s right or is he generally a level-headed guy?
I blame an iPhone screen and some high-class liqueur for my public, writing calamity.
I feel like many questions will remain unanswered if he decides to plea. There’s people involved in this savagery walking the streets and a family for whom our desensitized remembered disbelief and heartache.
Mr. Thayer – I am perplexed that Witt remains the only person arrested and charged with this quadruple murder, extortion and robbery. Local news seems to have moved on, giving only a mention when notified about the latest step in the lone defendant’s case as it crawls through the court’s process.
The latest ‘Breaking News’ was last week as the number of charges against Witt was escalated to 20+ felony counts.
So, in lieu of an accomplice, all of the charges have been put on Witt? After several delays and postponements of his court dates last December and now, Witt bearing enough felony charges to put three people away, is this an indication that the investigation has stalled? The FBI has not developed anything significant beyond the initial investigation and charging Witt? Yet, investigators were so convinced that Witt could not have acted alone, they made that opinion known in public statements.
It is simply not believable that Jordan Wallace had no involvement beyond what we already know. Your excellent story reveals too many coincidences swirling around Wallace and, that was after he made one false statement after another to police. Only a month before his family would be destroyed, Savvas hired Wallace into a job of such trust, of the kind usually earned over time, a job which also allowed intimate access into the life of his family.
Wallace was clearly not mature enough to perform his job with the slightest bit of discretion, his braggart postings on social media platforms also advertising the where-with-all of his employer. Like the carnival sparkle of a big cubic zirconia, Wallace’s postings were flashy enough to attract the attention of local thugs, thugs who might know Wallace and not think twice about threatening a person so insecure. I doubt Savvas was aware that his new assistant was being so flagrant and careless to even consider the vulnerabilities Wallace’s behavior could create.
Any thoughts about where this case stands?