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Note:  All questions posted on this page are posted in chronological order by the date they were received. 

Question 1 - June 11, 2001 - Lindi Mills from California asked, "Can you tell me how many times your sister had been married to your knowledge and what her husband(s) names were?"

Response 1: To my knowledge, Raychel was never married; however, I must acknowledge that my sister and I had only been in contact for approximately two months before she passed away. Prior to that, Raychel and I had not spoken in almost 10 years. That being said, I believe that Raychel would have mentioned if her marital status had changed in any way during those limited but intense conversations. We spoke about several issues which were very sensitive to us. Had Raychel gone through a painful divorce, I believe she would have mentioned it. Likewise with a marriage. I do not believe Lance Wagner’s claim that he was Raychel’s husband, nor would I trust a claim of this nature by any others unless that person is willing to provide incontrovertible evidence.

Question 2 - June 12, 2001 - Anis Nin from Mariville, NE asked, "I was impressed by your "Trust" article. I have tried to avoid asking you any questions because of the ordeal I can only imagine you are going through, but I must ask you two questions of you. You claim that you travel for your job, I was wondering if you could give us your whereabouts on Aug. 17, 2000. Also, I am curious to know what your exact feelings on your sister were, when she left and the fact that she did not keep in touch. Did you ever have harsh feelings for her doing so? One more to ask, I have heard you comment on your sister calling you up out of the blue, did you make any plans to meet up face to face is lingering in my thoughts. So, if you will "When was the last time you seen your sister face to face?" Thank you for your time."

Response 2: On August 17, 2000 I was in Los Angeles on business. I was also hoping to see my sister; however, that did not happen. I tried to call her, but later discovered that she was working in the Terror Trax studios at the time. I bore no ill will toward Raychel for the way she left the family, and I had the opportunity to tell her that on July 17th. I will go into that conversation at a later time.

Question 3 - June 13, 2001 - Chrisindi Midell from California asked, "Can you please give your whereabouts on Aug 17th 2000?"

Response 3: I was in Los Angeles for some business and to possibly meet Raychel. I tried to call her that day, but was not able to reach her. I have since discovered that Raychel was in the recording studio at the time. I stayed in the hotel and ate room service that night.

"....had I hired Ms. Wolfe, I certainly would have fired her after learning of the beating she [Raychel] received from Kyle prior to her calling me in June."

Question 4 - June 28, 2001 - Meauxjax from Jacksonville, FL asked, “Did you hire the bodyguard for your sister?”

Response 4: I did not hire Ms. Wolfe to protect my sister. As you may recall, Ms. Wolfe was hired as a Christmas present in December of 1999 while Raychel did not contact me until some six months later. Therefore, it is quite improbable that I would be able to hire Ms. Wolfe since I did not know my sister’s whereabouts at the time. On a related note, had I hired Ms. Wolfe, I certainly would have fired her after learning of the beating she received from Kyle prior to her calling me in June.

Question 5 - September 10, 2001 - Christina from Evansville, IN asked, "I am so sorry for the loss of your sister. You must be devastated. I have a question for you regarding this. You have stated several times that you were in LA the night of the murder. Can you be a little more specific? Such as, where in LA were you? Who were you with and what were you doing? When did you arrive, and when did you leave? Did you fly in or drive? Can anyone verify these answers?"

Response 5:  Here are the specifics as best I can remember them. I have utilized my receipts to refresh my memory whenever possible. First, as to why I was there, I was in Los Angeles to provide support for one of my company's clients. I was accompanied by H&G's CEO, Larry Hinshaw for the duration of my stay.

We arrived through LAX around 9:30 a.m. on August 17th and proceeded directly from the airport to our appointment at the West Coast Regional Headquarters of Cain International. The meeting lasted from about 10:30 - 6:30 p.m. During breaks, I tried to contact Raychel at her home number (with the hope of meeting with her that day) but was unsuccessful. I have since learned that she was recording at Terror Trax.

While we did not originally intend to stay overnight, our meeting forced a change in our plans. We checked into the W Los Angeles at approximately 7:15 p.m. After checking in, Larry and I had drinks in the hotel bar to discuss our approach for the next day’s meeting and to discuss some alterations in the contract we were negotiating. Satisfied with our progress, I left for my room at 8:15 p.m. and spent the duration of the evening making the changes in the contract on my laptop, calling my family in New York, watching TV, and eating room service. The following day, we checked out of the hotel, went to the meeting, and left via LAX at 4:30 p.m. on August 18th. Unfortunately, when I arrived home, I received the call from Laura Douglass informing me that Raychel had been murdered the previous night. Numbed, I returned to Los Angeles.

As to who can verify my whereabouts after 8:15 p.m. on the day of Raychel’s murder, I can tell you that the hotel bill could indicate that I called New York at 8:25 p.m. for 30 minutes and I requested room service at 9:00 p.m. (It arrived 35 minutes later). Beyond that, I only have my work product to speak for my activities for the day, and that is too lengthy (and proprietary) to post on this web site.

Question 6 - September 15, 2001 - Christina from Evansville, IN asked, "In commenting on one of Raychel's poems you say "she always was my strongest sister."  What exactly does that mean?  Did either you or Raychel have any other siblings?  It seems that if it were only the two of you, it would have been worded differently.  Do you have children? If so, do you have boys or girls, and how old are they?  After reading Raychel's poems, it seems there was more going on in her past then even we have been privy to. It seems as though she is speaking directly to someone about a pain that has never passed.  I am sure the person who she was speaking to must feel tremendous guilt whenever he/she reads those lines. It seems so sad.  But not pointless.  I believe you loved your sister with a passion. Isn't it wonderful that she left such an artful legacy?"

Response 6: Regarding the “strongest sister” comment, I believe the poem you are referring to is “Terror Too Tranquil.”  I believe there was a typographical error that printed it once; however, it should read that Raychel always was my “stronger” sister. Raychel and I were the only siblings.

I am proud to say that I am the father of two children.  My son, Jason, is 8 and my daughter, Victoria, is 5.  The irony of the duplication of generations is not lost on me.  I promised myself long ago that my children would not be forced to endure what Raychel and I experienced.  I have no doubt that, as Anna Fantiani pointed out, Raychel’s pain was rooted in our father’s violence.  That is why the current events have shaken me so.  It seems that no matter how we try to insulate our children from a world of violence and tragedy, there’s always something unavoidable ahead.  My children know what has happened, and while they do not understand the intricacies of this tragedy, it has affected them personally.  The father of Jason’s best friend is currently listed as missing (he worked at Aon Consulting) and there are two children in Victoria’s kindergarten class whose mothers are missing.  I worry for those children as well as my own.  Senseless violence is mind-boggling, but it does hold a crude lesson:  Live life every day and love life every way.  I’m sorry I do not share Raychel’s sense of poetry.  I suppose it would have come in handy just now.

I do understand Raychel left a poet’s legacy.  I just wish I could see more of it.

Question 7 - October 17, 2001 - Monroe from California asked, "Did you happen to make any calls using your cell phone after 8:15 pm on Aug 17, 2000, if you had one?"

Response 7:  I do have a cell phone, but when I called my wife I used the hotel phone. Other than that (and the call for room service) I did not use either the hotel phone or my cell phone that night.

Question 8 - December 14, 2001 - An anonymous person stated, "You are a loser."

Response 8:  Coming from someone without the courage (or ability?) to write your own name, that really means something to me.  This is what it means: You are a coward.

Question 9 - February 24, 2002 - Ken Kincaid from Los Angeles, CA asked, "One question about your situation that surprises me . . . Despite all of the money you made with Cain International as a client, you never used any of it to hire anyone to find your long-lost sister -- even though she was the up-and-coming star at a company that you helped Cain International purchase.  Why am I supposed to believe this is a coincidence?"

Response 9: It can easily be explained.  Raychel Vanderhoff was not the up-and-coming star at Terror Trax.  Raychel Taurus was.  Had I known that Raychel Taurus was my sister, I would have personally contacted her immediately, if only to tell her that our mother had died back in 1991.  It would be inhuman of me to hold that from her.

"....I deny any involvement in any attempt to use Anna Fantiani to steer her toward Kyle McAllister."

Question 10 - February 25, 2002 - Kelly from AZ asked, "David, Ken asked Anna if she had a connection with Kyle because she just happened to go to Raychel (with a message from her dead father) after he beat her up claiming Kyle to be a "safe harbor."  Kyle couldn't have set that up on his own because he would not have known Raychel's father died.  My question to you is this: How did you and Kyle set up Anna's appearance and how did it benefit you?"

Response 10: I cannot answer that question because it is constructed on several falsehoods.  First and foremost, I did not "set up" Anna Fantiani's appearance on Laura Douglass' doorstep.  Second, I would not work with Kyle McAllister to the detriment of my sister.  Kyle beat Raychel and that is all that need be said about any relationship I could have with Kyle McAllister.  In addition, I would not benefit from acting in collusion with him.  Perhaps in hindsight it could be perceived that the success of Raychel's recording would equal success for Terror Trax and that would benefit me because I assisted in the deal bringing Terror Trax to Cain International.  However, I was unaware at the time that Raychel was involved with Terror Trax at the time.  Additionally, that would mean that I thought Kyle McAllister was better suited for helping Raychel than Geoffrey MacIntyre.  Since Kyle McAllister is a glorified street musician and Geoffrey MacIntyre is a seasoned professional (and an executive with the company), it is obvious that if I were to have acted in Raychel's interest, I would have chosen Geoffrey as my instrument.  Finally, I do not believe in psychic abilities, nor would I have expected Raychel did after our upbringing.  Therefore, having established these points, I deny any involvement in any attempt to use Anna Fantiani to steer her toward Kyle McAllister.

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